Updated Quarterback Rankings - Standard League
Let's take a fresh look at the Captains who will pilot your fantasy ships in 2009. A few guys are making some noise, and a few are sinking already. Here's where we stand as on August 21st, 2009.
- Drew Brees, NOS ~ Brees is the best fantasy QB there heading into 2009. Over 5000 passing yards last season.
Tom Brady, NEP ~ Brady is looking solid so far in his limited preseason action and he appears to be healthy. - Peyton Manning, IND ~ Manning is trying to prove me wrong about his slipping value. He's looked like the Manning of old in preseason.
- Aaron Rodgers, GBP ~ Who knew Favre would be so easily forgotten in Green Bay? I like Rodgers better than Manning, but I need to see a second season of success to move him higher.
- Philip Rivers, SDG ~ Quietly the Rivers has been sneaking up the rankings, one solid season at a time. 2008 saw him putting up Peyton-like numbers without all the hoopla. And that was with L.T. and Antonio Gates having a down year. He’s poised for another solid campaign.
- Tony Romo, DAL ~ Distractions, distractions. For Tony 2008 was a season of boob interference; first Jessica Simpson, and of course the big boob, Terrell Owens. Well both are gone, and now Tony can get back to the promise he showed in 2007. See, boobs aren’t always a good thing.
- Kurt Warner, ARZ ~ I originally said you could lean on Warner until his arm falls off, however it's his hip problems this summer that have me concerned.
- Donovan McNabb, PHI ~ Nabby just has too many weapons now, and with Vick in his rearview, this is the season he has to show something big.
- Jay Cutler, CHI ~ Cutler is off to a slow start in Chicago, but I expect he'll get on track by the season opener.
- Carson Palmer, CIN ~ Despite a recent injury, Carson's receivers give me hope. Ochocinco is looking solid, and Chris Henry has been the surprise of the preseason.
- Matt Schaub, HOU ~ He has the ability and plenty of weapons, now he just has to stay healthy for a full season.
- Matt Ryan, ATL ~ Tough schedule this year, but improved weapons. I expect more passing and less Turner in 2009.
- Ben Roethlisberger, PIT ~ Nothing flashy, he just gets it done, season after season. He drops a spot here because he's injured again. But Big Ben is the iron man, so don't read much into that.
- Matt Hassleback, SEA ~ Hassleback is slipping too far in drafts. He has too many weapons to throw to. He should be a nice steal, late.
- Matt Cassell, KC ~ This season has BUST written all over it for Cassell, who is already dying in preseason action.
- David Garrard, JAX ~ Garrard quietly finished 2008 as the 9th best fantasy QB, making him a very nice QB2, or bottom end QB1 in deep leagues.
- Trent Edwards, BUF ~ Turf Toe T.O. hurts Edwards value, which had been on the rise. I still expect worthwhile QB2 numbers from him.
- Eli Manning, NYG, ~ Overpaid to under produce.
- Chad Pennington, MIA, ~ Pennington was quietly effective in his first full year in Miami, but a brutal 2009 schedule hurts. He will struggle to put up solid numbers again this season.
- Joe Flacco, BAL ~ Flacco had a decent rookie season, and he should progress in 2009. Thankfully Derrick Mason chose to come back for another season, which bodes well for Flacco and the team.
- Shaun Hill, SFO ~ Now that it looks like Hill has the starting gig, he is a solid pick up, with or without Michael Crabtree on the team. With sleeper Josh Morgan, and veteran Isaac Bruce, and a breakout from TE Vernon Davis, I expect big things.
- Marc Bulger, STL ~ Bulger is injured again and he gets sacked too often. He should be getting Donnie Avery back sooner than expected, but he may not make the start of the season himself.
- Jason Campbell, WAS ~ He will never be a fantasy stud, but Jason is a serviceable number two. This is the year that makes ore breaks him in Washington.
- Jake Delhomme, CAR ~ Jake moves up by default. His fantasy value has been declining for several seasons, though in 2008 a lot of his TD passes went into the end-zone on foot courtesy of Williams and Stewart.
- Kyle Orton, DEN ~ His value just keeps sinking. Chris Simms may supplant him. His top WR is not on the same page as the team. It's not a good time in Denver.
- Mathew Sanchez, NYJ ~ I believe he wins the starting gig, and he has the talent to do something with it. And if there is truth to the Brandon Marshall to the Jets rumors...
- Brady Quinn, CLE ~ If his his coach ever gets off his ass and rightfully names Quinn the Browns starter, he will be a surprise sleeper this season. IF!
- Byron Leftwich, TBB ~ Someone has to lob the pigskin in Tampa and it looks like Leftwich gets the call. That may not last, but for now...
Sleeper: Daunte Culpepper, DET ~ He’s slimmed down for camp, and rookie Matthew Stafford really needs a year behind a pro before taking the reigns. And Pepper has Calvin Jackson as a lethal weapon.
Bust: JaMarcus Russell, OAK ~ It pains me to say this since he’s taking up a roster spot in my Dynasty league, but I think J.R. is another Ryan leaf; all promise and no delivery.
