Fantasy Football Preview: The Quarterbacks
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/867/1/Fantasy-Football-Preview-The-Quarterbacks/Fantasy-Football-Preview-The-Quarterbacks.html
Andrew Mindzak
After a long and successful 15 year baseball career that started off walking his first 8 batters, then hitting the 9th before getting pulled, he has switched gears to writing about sports instead of playing them (although he is always up for a game of wiffleball).
The reigning 2006 shuffleboard champion on his cruise to Alaska, Andrew feels that there is nothing better than early-mid 90's music and taking it in with a nice cold Dos Equis.
He has been participating in Fantasy Football for over 10 years and is a firm believer in awarding fantasy points for 'Super Models Dated'. Another firm belief is Donald Arthur Mattingly should be in Cooperstown. But that will be another story...until then, email him here.
The reigning 2006 shuffleboard champion on his cruise to Alaska, Andrew feels that there is nothing better than early-mid 90's music and taking it in with a nice cold Dos Equis.
He has been participating in Fantasy Football for over 10 years and is a firm believer in awarding fantasy points for 'Super Models Dated'. Another firm belief is Donald Arthur Mattingly should be in Cooperstown. But that will be another story...until then, email him here.
By Andrew Mindzak
Published on 07/30/2007
August is nearly upon us, which means it's fantasy football draft season. Fear not, ASM's Andy Mindzak is previewing each position over the next six days. It all starts behind center, and Peyton Manning has a reason to look smug. He's still the best there is.
August is nearly upon us, which means it's fantasy football draft season. Fear not, ASM's Andy Mindzak is previewing each position over the next six days. It all starts behind center, and Peyton Manning has a reason to look smug. He's still the best there is.
Fantasy Football Preview: The Quarterbacks
Well, it’s that time once again…no, not time to bail Marcus Vick out of jail again, but time to get crackin’ on doing your homework for the 2007 Fantasy Football season! Luckily for you, I did all the work, so all you have to do is read up and kick some butt in your leagues this season! ASM’s very own Andrew Mindzak will break down each position player by player, and give you all the low down you will need to have a successful draft this year.
First, we will start with the Quarterbacks. One thing that is pretty much a certainty, Peyton Manning will put up amazing numbers, but who do you look for if you are not lucky enough to draft him? Here are my pre rankings for the Quarterback class of 2007:
1. Peyton Manning – QB Indianapolis Colts
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,397 31 9 101.0
Peyton Manning is Spanish for ‘the best fantasy QB. Period’. Peyton Manning finally won the big game, but don’t look for him to slack off one bit! He still has his laser for a right arm and wideouts Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne at his disposal, not to mention rookie Buckeye wideout Anthony Gonzalez. Joseph Addai will be the feature back this year, and TE Dallas Clark is always a viable option, as it seemed Manning went to him often in the playoffs. Look for Peyton to put up another very solid season, as you can almost count on him being in the top 2 in TD passes, yards, and coolest commercials (“they’re saying moooooovers”).
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,210 37 12 101.9
2. Carson Palmer – QB Cincinnati Bengals
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,035 28 13 93.9
Carson Palmer had quite the impressive ’06, especially considering he just came off major knee surgery less than 1 year before the start of the season. Blessed with a cannon for an arm, and several top notch offensive weapons, a successful ’07 is pretty feasible. WR’s Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are top tier no matter what team they would be on, and having Rudi Johnson in the backfield will keep opposing defenses more than honest. Look for Palmer to have another solid year in 2007. Now if he can only keep the rest of the Bengals out of jail….
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,150 31 14 96.5
3. Tom Brady – QB New England Patriots
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,529 24 12 87.9
Tom Brady put together yet another solid campaign in 2006. Although he tapered off from his 2005 numbers, where he put up over 4,000 yards passing, 2007 looks to be especially promising with the key additions of Donte’ Stallworth and Randy Moss. The only question yet to be answered is which Moss will show up….Now I’m not a betting man (ok, maybe a little here and there) but I would guess the Raider Randy will show up instead of the Minnesota Moss.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,721 26 14 86.2
4. Drew Brees – QB New Orleans Saints
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,418 26 11 96.2
Drew Brees answered any and all questions about his shoulder in ’06 with a monster year. Brees led the NFL in passing yards on the way to an amazing run to the NFC Championship game. Brees has bruising running back Deuce McAllister in the backfield as well as receiving threat Reggie Bush, not to mention Marques Colston who came out of nowhere to put up over 1,000 yards. Brees will have another solid year in ’07; just don’t look for the same ridiculous numbers from ’06.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,854 25 12 87.6
5. Marc Bulger – QB St. Louis Rams
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,301 24 8 92.9
Marc Bulger had a stellar 2006 season, setting a career high with TD passes (24) while only throwing a measly 8 INT’s. He has excellent weapons in Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce (yes, he is still playing) and new additions WR Drew Bennett and TE Randy McMichael will have Bulger drooling every time he steps to the line. RB Steven Jackson is a pass catching beast which gives Bulger one more viable option, as if he needed it. Did I mention he plays half of his games indoors?
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,954 26 11 91.8
6. Donovan McNabb – QB Philadelphia Eagles
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
10 2,647 18 6 95.5
Donovan McNabb was having a stellar year before going down with a knee injury in week 11. Although he was having a huge year last year, it would be tough to imagine him repeating this year, mainly with the loss of receiver Donte’ Stallworth. Reggie Brown will now be the main man in the receiving corps, but it still seems like a bunch of #3 WR’s to me (Kevin Curtis, Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis) backing up Brown. D-Mac will still have Brian Westbrook in the backfield who is good for 60-70 receptions, and TE L.J. Smith is pretty solid as well. Provided he can remain healthy (19 games the past 2 seasons) and one of those wideouts can step it up, D-Mac should have a solid year.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
14 3,384 22 11 90.6
7. Matt Hasselbeck – QB Seattle Seahawks
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
12 2,442 18 15 76.0
Matt Hasselbeck had a rough 2006 campaign as he was slowed by injuries (to him and Alexander) and a less effective offensive line than the previous year. Matt will bounce back nicely this year, as he will have a healthy Alexander in the backfield, and Deion Branch looks to step into the #1 WR role very nicely. The acquisition of Marcus Pollard will give him a nice target over the middle, and young wideout D.J. Hackett should give him a good deep threat as well. Look for Hasselbeck to come back strong in ’07 and put up some very solid fantasy numbers.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,348 21 11 91.8
8. Philip Rivers – QB San Diego Chargers
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,388 22 9 92.0
Eli Manning who?? Philip Rivers is making those Giants look pretty foolish so far for trading him away to get the younger Manning. Rivers had an excellent 2006 season in his first full season as a starter. He threw 22 TD passes compared to only 9 INT’s. He seems to be flourishing out west, and with new coach, offensive genius Norv Turner, expect even bigger things from Rivers. He has an excellent target in TE Antonio Gates and some guy LaDainian Tomlinson (I really hope you note my sarcasm here) in the backfield.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,750 24 10 93.4
First, we will start with the Quarterbacks. One thing that is pretty much a certainty, Peyton Manning will put up amazing numbers, but who do you look for if you are not lucky enough to draft him? Here are my pre rankings for the Quarterback class of 2007:
1. Peyton Manning – QB Indianapolis Colts
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,397 31 9 101.0
Peyton Manning is Spanish for ‘the best fantasy QB. Period’. Peyton Manning finally won the big game, but don’t look for him to slack off one bit! He still has his laser for a right arm and wideouts Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne at his disposal, not to mention rookie Buckeye wideout Anthony Gonzalez. Joseph Addai will be the feature back this year, and TE Dallas Clark is always a viable option, as it seemed Manning went to him often in the playoffs. Look for Peyton to put up another very solid season, as you can almost count on him being in the top 2 in TD passes, yards, and coolest commercials (“they’re saying moooooovers”).
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,210 37 12 101.9
2. Carson Palmer – QB Cincinnati Bengals
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,035 28 13 93.9
Carson Palmer had quite the impressive ’06, especially considering he just came off major knee surgery less than 1 year before the start of the season. Blessed with a cannon for an arm, and several top notch offensive weapons, a successful ’07 is pretty feasible. WR’s Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are top tier no matter what team they would be on, and having Rudi Johnson in the backfield will keep opposing defenses more than honest. Look for Palmer to have another solid year in 2007. Now if he can only keep the rest of the Bengals out of jail….
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,150 31 14 96.5
3. Tom Brady – QB New England Patriots
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,529 24 12 87.9
Tom Brady put together yet another solid campaign in 2006. Although he tapered off from his 2005 numbers, where he put up over 4,000 yards passing, 2007 looks to be especially promising with the key additions of Donte’ Stallworth and Randy Moss. The only question yet to be answered is which Moss will show up….Now I’m not a betting man (ok, maybe a little here and there) but I would guess the Raider Randy will show up instead of the Minnesota Moss.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,721 26 14 86.2
4. Drew Brees – QB New Orleans Saints
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,418 26 11 96.2
Drew Brees answered any and all questions about his shoulder in ’06 with a monster year. Brees led the NFL in passing yards on the way to an amazing run to the NFC Championship game. Brees has bruising running back Deuce McAllister in the backfield as well as receiving threat Reggie Bush, not to mention Marques Colston who came out of nowhere to put up over 1,000 yards. Brees will have another solid year in ’07; just don’t look for the same ridiculous numbers from ’06.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,854 25 12 87.6
5. Marc Bulger – QB St. Louis Rams
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 4,301 24 8 92.9
Marc Bulger had a stellar 2006 season, setting a career high with TD passes (24) while only throwing a measly 8 INT’s. He has excellent weapons in Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce (yes, he is still playing) and new additions WR Drew Bennett and TE Randy McMichael will have Bulger drooling every time he steps to the line. RB Steven Jackson is a pass catching beast which gives Bulger one more viable option, as if he needed it. Did I mention he plays half of his games indoors?
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,954 26 11 91.8
6. Donovan McNabb – QB Philadelphia Eagles
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
10 2,647 18 6 95.5
Donovan McNabb was having a stellar year before going down with a knee injury in week 11. Although he was having a huge year last year, it would be tough to imagine him repeating this year, mainly with the loss of receiver Donte’ Stallworth. Reggie Brown will now be the main man in the receiving corps, but it still seems like a bunch of #3 WR’s to me (Kevin Curtis, Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis) backing up Brown. D-Mac will still have Brian Westbrook in the backfield who is good for 60-70 receptions, and TE L.J. Smith is pretty solid as well. Provided he can remain healthy (19 games the past 2 seasons) and one of those wideouts can step it up, D-Mac should have a solid year.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
14 3,384 22 11 90.6
7. Matt Hasselbeck – QB Seattle Seahawks
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
12 2,442 18 15 76.0
Matt Hasselbeck had a rough 2006 campaign as he was slowed by injuries (to him and Alexander) and a less effective offensive line than the previous year. Matt will bounce back nicely this year, as he will have a healthy Alexander in the backfield, and Deion Branch looks to step into the #1 WR role very nicely. The acquisition of Marcus Pollard will give him a nice target over the middle, and young wideout D.J. Hackett should give him a good deep threat as well. Look for Hasselbeck to come back strong in ’07 and put up some very solid fantasy numbers.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,348 21 11 91.8
8. Philip Rivers – QB San Diego Chargers
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,388 22 9 92.0
Eli Manning who?? Philip Rivers is making those Giants look pretty foolish so far for trading him away to get the younger Manning. Rivers had an excellent 2006 season in his first full season as a starter. He threw 22 TD passes compared to only 9 INT’s. He seems to be flourishing out west, and with new coach, offensive genius Norv Turner, expect even bigger things from Rivers. He has an excellent target in TE Antonio Gates and some guy LaDainian Tomlinson (I really hope you note my sarcasm here) in the backfield.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,750 24 10 93.4
Fantasy Football Preview: The Quarterbacks
9. Tony Romo – QB Dallas Cowboys
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
10 2,903 19 13 95.1
Tony Romo had a solid season after replacing the human statue that also goes by the name Drew Bledsoe. He threw for 19 TD’s and 2,903 yards in only 10 games. He has great receivers in Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, and two solid running backs in Julius Jones and Marion Barber. TE Jason Witten gives Romo one more solid target to go to, especially in the red zone. Romo will also have a chip on his shoulder to erase the fumbled snap in the playoffs against the Seahawks last year, so look for him to come out gunning.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,424 23 14 92.6
10. Eli Manning – QB New York Giants
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,244 24 18 77.0
Eli Manning had pretty similar years statistically in 2005 and 2006. Most QB’s wouldn’t mind tossing 24 TD passes, but when your older brother is Peyton, that might make for some uncomfortable Manning barbecues in the summer. Eli will be without all world RB Tiki Barber this year, so that will cut out the short drop offs he used to dish to Tiki. Shockey is a very quality TE, and if Plaxico Burress can keep the pace up, Manning will be relying on a more vertical passing attack, which could lead to bigger plays, but ultimately more INT’s.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,650 25 18 80.0
The best of the rest….
11. Matt Leinart – QB Arizona Cardinals: More experienced after a decent rookie campaign and with 2 stud WR’s (Boldin & Fitzgerald).
12. Jon Kitna – QB Detroit Lions: Great 2006 season with over 4,000 yards. He’s on a bad team, but in the fantasy world, that means more passing stats.
13. Jake Delhomme – QB Carolina Panthers: Injuries slowed Jake in 2006, but look for him to play with more fire with David Carr waiting in the wings.
14. Vince Young – QB Tennessee Titans: Average passing numbers, but he makes up for it with rushing numbers, as he has an average supporting cast.
15. Brett Favre – QB Green Bay Packers: Still can chuck the long ball, but his INT’s have been scary the last few years.
16. Jay Cutler – QB Denver Broncos: Solid rookie season, looks only to get better. Stud WR Javon Walker is top notch target.
17. Alex Smith – QB San Francisco 49ers: Lost Norv Turner, but they still have Frank Gore in the backfield and TE Vernon Davis is a monster.
18. Chad Pennington – QB New York Jets: Solid 2006 after missing 13 games in 2005, threw for over 3,300 yards in ’06.
19. Damon Huard – QB Kansas City Chiefs: Great job filling in for Green (11TD vs. 1 INT) now the starter with Green off to Miami.
20. Ben Roethlisberger – QB Pittsburgh Steelers: Rough start to 2006, but will get better in ’07. Look for the TD’s to stay the same but INT’s to go down.
21. Trent Green – QB Miami Dolphins: Now the starter in Miami, he is going back a few steps as far as offensive talent (especially if Chambers misses time).
22. Jason Campbell – QB Washington Redskins: Great arm, has excellent weapons in WR Santana Moss, TE Chris Cooley, and a great backfield (Portis & Betts).
23. Matt Schaub – QB Houston Texans: Now the starter in Houston, can he consistently do what he did as a backup in Atlanta? WR Andre Johnson is a stud.
24. J.P. Losman – QB Buffalo Bills: Not a bad 2006, look for him to build on that in ’07. WR Lee Evans is a monster target.
25. Rex Grossman – QB Chicago Bears: Can be great, can be awful. If only he could let us know ahead of time….
26. Steve McNair – QB Baltimore Ravens: On the decline, can still manage a game decently. If only they had fantasy points for game management….
27. Byron Leftwich – QB Jacksonville Jaguars: Plays with everything he has, which might explain the myriad of injuries…although he is in a contract year….
28. Michael Vick – QB Atlanta Falcons: Michael and his brother Marcus make the Bengals look like a nunnery. Stay away unless you get fantasy points for pending jail time.
29. Jeff Garcia – QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Had a great season filling in for McNabb, will fight to be the starter in TB, but if so, he will do decently.
30. David Carr – QB Carolina Panthers: Carr, who spent more time on his back than Jenna Jameson over the past few seasons, will give Delhomme a run for his money.
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
10 2,903 19 13 95.1
Tony Romo had a solid season after replacing the human statue that also goes by the name Drew Bledsoe. He threw for 19 TD’s and 2,903 yards in only 10 games. He has great receivers in Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, and two solid running backs in Julius Jones and Marion Barber. TE Jason Witten gives Romo one more solid target to go to, especially in the red zone. Romo will also have a chip on his shoulder to erase the fumbled snap in the playoffs against the Seahawks last year, so look for him to come out gunning.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,424 23 14 92.6
10. Eli Manning – QB New York Giants
2006 Stats
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,244 24 18 77.0
Eli Manning had pretty similar years statistically in 2005 and 2006. Most QB’s wouldn’t mind tossing 24 TD passes, but when your older brother is Peyton, that might make for some uncomfortable Manning barbecues in the summer. Eli will be without all world RB Tiki Barber this year, so that will cut out the short drop offs he used to dish to Tiki. Shockey is a very quality TE, and if Plaxico Burress can keep the pace up, Manning will be relying on a more vertical passing attack, which could lead to bigger plays, but ultimately more INT’s.
2007 Projections
G Yards TD INT Rating
16 3,650 25 18 80.0
The best of the rest….
11. Matt Leinart – QB Arizona Cardinals: More experienced after a decent rookie campaign and with 2 stud WR’s (Boldin & Fitzgerald).
12. Jon Kitna – QB Detroit Lions: Great 2006 season with over 4,000 yards. He’s on a bad team, but in the fantasy world, that means more passing stats.
13. Jake Delhomme – QB Carolina Panthers: Injuries slowed Jake in 2006, but look for him to play with more fire with David Carr waiting in the wings.
14. Vince Young – QB Tennessee Titans: Average passing numbers, but he makes up for it with rushing numbers, as he has an average supporting cast.
15. Brett Favre – QB Green Bay Packers: Still can chuck the long ball, but his INT’s have been scary the last few years.
16. Jay Cutler – QB Denver Broncos: Solid rookie season, looks only to get better. Stud WR Javon Walker is top notch target.
17. Alex Smith – QB San Francisco 49ers: Lost Norv Turner, but they still have Frank Gore in the backfield and TE Vernon Davis is a monster.
18. Chad Pennington – QB New York Jets: Solid 2006 after missing 13 games in 2005, threw for over 3,300 yards in ’06.
19. Damon Huard – QB Kansas City Chiefs: Great job filling in for Green (11TD vs. 1 INT) now the starter with Green off to Miami.
20. Ben Roethlisberger – QB Pittsburgh Steelers: Rough start to 2006, but will get better in ’07. Look for the TD’s to stay the same but INT’s to go down.
21. Trent Green – QB Miami Dolphins: Now the starter in Miami, he is going back a few steps as far as offensive talent (especially if Chambers misses time).
22. Jason Campbell – QB Washington Redskins: Great arm, has excellent weapons in WR Santana Moss, TE Chris Cooley, and a great backfield (Portis & Betts).
23. Matt Schaub – QB Houston Texans: Now the starter in Houston, can he consistently do what he did as a backup in Atlanta? WR Andre Johnson is a stud.
24. J.P. Losman – QB Buffalo Bills: Not a bad 2006, look for him to build on that in ’07. WR Lee Evans is a monster target.
25. Rex Grossman – QB Chicago Bears: Can be great, can be awful. If only he could let us know ahead of time….
26. Steve McNair – QB Baltimore Ravens: On the decline, can still manage a game decently. If only they had fantasy points for game management….
27. Byron Leftwich – QB Jacksonville Jaguars: Plays with everything he has, which might explain the myriad of injuries…although he is in a contract year….
28. Michael Vick – QB Atlanta Falcons: Michael and his brother Marcus make the Bengals look like a nunnery. Stay away unless you get fantasy points for pending jail time.
29. Jeff Garcia – QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Had a great season filling in for McNabb, will fight to be the starter in TB, but if so, he will do decently.
30. David Carr – QB Carolina Panthers: Carr, who spent more time on his back than Jenna Jameson over the past few seasons, will give Delhomme a run for his money.