1.
Brady, Tom NE
New England Patriots, Bye: Week 4
2.
Manning, Peyton IND
Indianapolis Colts, Bye: Week 4
3.
Brees, Drew NO
New Orleans Saints, Bye: Week 9
4.
Romo, Tony DAL
Dallas Cowboys, Bye: Week 10
5. Palmer, Carson CIN
Cincinnati Bengals, Bye: Week 8
6.
Anderson , Derek CLE
Cleveland Browns,
Bye: Week 5
7.
Roethlisberger, Ben PIT
Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye: Week 6
8. Hasselbeck, Matt SEA
Seattle Seahawks, Bye: Week 4
9. Bulger, Marc STL
St. Louis Rams, Bye: Week 5
10. Cutler, Jay DEN
Denver Broncos, Bye: Week
8
11. Rivers, Philip SD
San Diego Chargers, Bye:
Week 9
12. Manning, Eli NYG
New York Giants, Bye:
Week 4
13. McNabb, Donovan PHI
Philadelphia Eagles, Bye: Week
7
14. Kitna, Jon DET
Detroit Lions, Bye: Week
4
15. Garrard, David,
Jacksonville Jaguars,
Bye: Week 7
|
|
 |
Premiere
Passer : Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Last year the Tom Brady to Randy Moss connection ruled fantasy
football as the New England offense set new records for single
season scoring, single season passing touchdowns, and single season
receiving touchdowns. For years Tom Brady single-handedly willed the
Patriots to victories with a very average, smurf-like, receiving
corps that included the likes of Deion Branch, David Patten and
Bethel Johnson; all hovering around the six foot mark. In 2007,
Brady's patience was finally awarded when the Patriots broke the
bank to retool their offense by bringing in Randy Moss, Donte
Stallworth, and Wes Welker. Brady responded with the best
statistical season of his career, terrorizing opponents as he posted
4,806 yards and 50 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. Brady
and Co. will continue their statistical domination of NFL defenses
as the core of the 2007 offensive unit will return, minus Donte
Stallworth. Lawrence Maroney will also be able keep defenses honest
as he's recovered from the nagging injuries that plagued his 2007
season.
Most
Overrated Quarterback: Jon Kitna Detroit Lions
Jon Kitna is on a short leash in the Motor City. Mike Martz, his
biggest supporter, is now in San Francisco and the journeyman Kitna
is forced to pick up the pieces. Although posting very respectable
numbers in 2007 (4,068 yards, 18 TD's), the installation of a new
offense, the reluctance on the part of Matt Millen to address their
grotesque need at the running back position (2008 3rd round draft
pick Kevin Smith?), and the presence of Drew Stanton and Dan
Orlovski Waiting in the wings to take over, should he falter, makes
this guy a huge fantasy risk for the 2008 season. Kitna watched as
Matt Hasselbeck took over in Seattle, as Carson Palmer took his spot
in Cincinnati, and it will happen again in Detroit.
2008
Fantasy Sleeper: Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
2008 is the year that Vince Young's game finally transitions to the
NFL. Young showed flashes of his break out ability during his rookie
campaign only to take a step back as inconsistent play at the wide
receiver position and the growing pains of adjusting to the National
Football league seemed to take its toll on the struggling
quarterback. The addition of Alge Crumpler as a primary target,
coupled with the continued development if his young receiving corps
should allow Vince Young's talents to capitalize on some scoring
opportunities.
Sure to
Disappoint: Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Alex Smith just doesn't get it. He was drafted first overall by the
San Francisco 49ers in 2005 to be the savior of this franchise, to
usher in a new era of post season accolades.
Unfortunately, Smith was drafted amongst a very weak crop of
quarterbacks and the San Francisco 49ers paid a steep price for an
inferior product. Smith was rushed in the starting lineup much too
quickly and in 2008 will prove to be another Joey Harrington ... a
David Carr ... a guy who's game just doesn't translate to the
National Football League. The addition of Mike Martz is intriguing
to the San Francisco offense, but I truly believe that when Frank
Gore is punishing NFL Defenses and Vernon Davis begins regularly
posting 100 yard games, that it will be someone other than Alex
Smith under center.
The Next Great Fantasy QB: Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers has all the tools to become a highly successful
quarterback in Green Bay. With Ryan Grant pounding NFL defenses,
Greg Jennings and Donald Driver at the wide receiver position, the
continued solid play of the Packer offensive line, and the emergence
of the formidable Green Bay Packer Defense, Rodgers has been handed
the keys to a finely tuned automobile. There is a reason, that Ted
Thompson and Mike McCarthy made no effort to retain the services of
Brett Favre, after four years in the Packer Offensive System they
believe they've groomed his successor.
What I said in 2007 ...
Premiere Passer : Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning is a touchdown machine and the Indianapolis Colts
offense is structured to get him the gaudy numbers that Manning
posts every year for yardage and touchdowns. Over the last three
years, Manning threw for 49, 28, and 31 touchdowns and 4577, 3747,
and 4397 yards. With the addition on Anthony Gonzalez and the
emergence of Joseph Addai at Running Back, Peyton is primed for
another highly productive year in a system that makes fantasy owners
salivate. At 31 years of age Peyton in entering his prime, he is
head and shoulder above any other fantasy football quarterback in
the league.
Most
Overrated Quarterback: Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
As an understudy for the incomparable Mike Vick in Atlanta for the
last three years, Matt Schaub shined in mop-up duty during preseason
games and as Vick’s stand in when he was injured. Schaub will find
that filling in for a starting quarterback in the NFL is much
different that becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL. At 6’5”
and 237 lbs. Matt Schaub has all the physical attributes of the
prototypical NFL quarterback, but size alone does not an NFL
quarterback make … remember Buffalo Bills great Rob Johnson?
2007
Fantasy Sleeper: Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Entering his third year in the National Football League, Alex Smith
is primed for a breakout year. The San Francisco 49ers broke the
free agency bank this offseason and in addition to their rising
stars in running back Frank Gore and tight end Vernon Davis, they
invested in ex-seattle wide receiver Darryl Jackson. When healthy
and not dropping footballs, Jackson is a formidable weapon at the
wide receive position. I look to Alex Smith, with a revitalized
ground attack, to make defenses pay for trying to stop Frank Gore.
Sure to
Disappoint: Byron Leftwich, Jacksonville Jaguars
I hate to put Byron in this category because I like the guy. I
like his physical tools, his attitude, and his heart. Byron
Leftwich is the type of guy you want to be successful in the
National Football League, but the fact of the matter is that he is
doomed to failure in 2007. With David Garrard and Quinn Gray
on the roster, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a stable of good
quarterbacks, they just don't have a great one. The Jags will
feature the two headed rushing attack of Fred Taylor and Maurice
Jone-Drew, and if Leftwich can retain his starting job, he will
still amass less than 2000 yards passing and ten touchdowns.
The Next
Great Fantasy QB: Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos
Is he the next John Elway? Only time will tell. Does he
have the skills and supporting cast to make him a dominant fantasy
quarterback ... you better believe he does. Mike Shanahan, has
amassed a strong supporting cast and a created a great system for
Cutler to thrive in. In Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall,
Cutler has a pair of star recivers for him to throw to and in Travis
Henry and the vaunted Denver Broncos offensive line, the running
game will be as solid as ever in 2007. Cutler will mature very
quickly and just like Bill Walsh did for Joe Montana and Charlie
Weiss did for Tom Brady, the system will make Jay Cutler shine for
years to come. |
