Day Eleven: My Favorite NFL Players, Part Two

Last night, I posted my favorite retired NFL players.  Tonight, my favorite current NFL players.
#10-Matt Ryan-Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons. Maybe it's his "aw, shucks" personality. Maybe it's the fact that he was Tony Gonzalez's quarterback for five years. I have always liked Matt Ryan. Although I'm not a Falcons fan, I wish Ryan could prove to be the player every one thinks he is. Wish he could have gotten TG that ring though.
#9-Aaron Rodgers-Quarterback, Green Bay Packers. It's because he's cute. At first, it was because I wanted him to prove that he was ready to step out of the enormous Bret Favre shadow, which he did spectacularly. Then, it was those stupid State Farm commercials, and he's cute.  I really need no other reason to watch him.
#8-J.J. Watt-Defensive End, Houston Texans. I just enjoy to watch this guy play. He just seems so excited to take the field every week. He clearly loves the game, and he is a monster on the field.
#7-Clay Matthews-Linebacker, Green Bay Packers. Because he's hot. Sure, he's a great player, but it's because he's hot.
#6-Derrick Johnson-Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs defense is where it's at. I love watching DJ take down a quarterback.  Can't wait for him to return to the field this year.
#5-Drew Brees-Quarterback, New Orleans Saints.  Enjoyed him as a Charger, and even more as a Saint. It was his generous acts during and after Hurricane Katrina that made me love the guy. Not to mention, Drew Brees is a heckuva quarterback.
#4-Jimmy Graham-Tight End, New Orleans Saints. First, it was his back story, and then, it was his play.  The guy may not be the traditional quarterback, but watching him play in person, he is amazing. Plus, he gives me a cute Tight End to watch now that Tony Gonzalez is on the NFL Today on CBS.
#3-Tamba Hali-Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs. Liked him before Hard Knocks: the Kansas City Chiefs, loved him after.  Like Derrick Johnson and Derrick Thomas, I just love watching Tamba break an offensive line and destroy a quarterback. One of the leaders of the that Chiefs defense.
#2-Justin Houston-Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs. This guy is a monster.  A pure monster, and if he stays healthy.  Whooooa, Nelly!  22 sacks this year, and if J.J. Watt hadn't had an uber-great season, he could have easily won Defensive Player of the year. To quote Deion Sanders, "Pay the man!"
#1-Jamaal Charles-Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs. Haven't been this fond of a running back since Marcus Allen to the field for the Chiefs. J. Charles is the best thing about the Chiefs offense, no offense to Alex Smith and the WR corp who can't score.  One of my favorite J. Charles memory happened September 22, 2013.  It was my first time attending an NFL game, and J. Charles scored a TD after a 91 yard run. Scored it right in the end zone where I was sitting. I don't think I have ever heard the Super Dome that quiet. A great memory from a great player.


Until next time, "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."-Vince Lombardi

NFL Week 14 Picks

Week 14 is upon us, ladies and gentlemen, and the NFL season is winding down, and the playoff picture is starting to develop.  Four teams have been officially eliminated, Washington, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Houston are on the clock to see who will win the 1st pick in next year's draft.  So far, only the Seattle Seahawks have punched their tickets to 2013 playoffs, and they appear to have a strangle hold on home field advantage.  The Chiefs lost to Denver which has Denver currently in the driver's seat for the #1 seed in the AFC, but the New England Patriots are nipping at their heels in the #2.  Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Baltimore are rounding out the playoff teams, but Miami, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and the New York Jets are still very much in the running for those two wildcard spots.

 

The NFC has New Orleans, Detroit, Dallas, Carolina, and San Francisco in the playoffs (if it ended today. However, Philadelphia, Chicago, Arizona, and Green Bay all still have a slight pulse.  Anything can happen.

 

Gary Kubiak was the first victim of the NFL chopping block.  Even his mini-stroke couldn't provide a spark to this team who is circling the bowl with an 11 game losing streak.

My Chiefs are headed to D.C. this week to take on the Washington Redskins in the politically incorrect bowl, while the Falcons and Tony Gonzalez (y'all know he's the only reason I even care about this team) head to Lambeau Field to take on the Packers minus Aaron Rodgers.  Tony G only has four more games left in his illustrious career.  FYI, Tony is only 79 yards away from hitting 15,000 career yards, which would make him the first Tight End to do so, and will make him 5th all time passing Tim Brown.  For the record, there are only 4 receivers in history with 15,000+ yards-Jerry Rice (22,895), Terrell Owens (15,934), Randy Moss (15,292), and Isaac Bruce (15,208).

Last week, I broke even with a 7-7 record bring my year to 107-82. Meh. (where did the Jacksonville Jaguars come from?)  I can do better (I hope)...

Sunday, December 8
Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore
Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers:  Atlanta (why not)
Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles: Philadelphia
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals:  Indianapolis
Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots:  New England
Oakland Raiders at New York Jets: New York Jets (who cares really, right?)
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers:  Pittsburgh
Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Buffalo
Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Redskins:  Kansas City (I won't be watching. I fully believe, albeit irrationally so, that I am the reason [along with the wide receivers] that the Chiefs have lost 3 in a row.)
Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos:  Denver
St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals:  St. Louis
New York Giants at San Diego Chargers:  New York
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers:  San Francisco
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints:  New Orleans

Monday, December 9
Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears:  Dallas

Thursday, December 12
San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos:  Denver

That's all folks! Until next week:  “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”― Nelson Mandela, rest in peace...

NFL Week 17 Picks...

Welcome back, everybody!!! Well, it's finally here.  The last week of the season.  Many of us will be saying goodbye until August to some of our teams.  *clears throat* The Chiefs.  While the fans of 12 teams will be looking forward to the playoffs. 

This has been a rather unique season.  Playoff stalwarts like Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers will be watching from home a changing of the guard as a possible 4 rookies have opportunities to shine in the playoffs- Robert Griffin, III, Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Luck, and Russell Wilson.  Not to mention they will each battle to see who will be the Rookie of the Year.

Comeback players of the year Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson have simply gone about business as usual.  Peyton has established his reign as the new boss of the AFC West, which wasn't difficult considering the Raiders, Chargers, and Chiefs don't really pose a threat to anyone.   Peyton is well on his way to another MVP as he and the Broncos fight for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

Adrian Peterson is returning from major knee surgery with an opportunity to not only break Eric Dickerson 28 year old rushing record of 2,105 yards but a slight possibility of making the playoffs.  He is 208 yards from completing that task.  Good luck to the voters choosing Comeback player of the year.

Calvin Johnson broke Jerry Rice's record of single-season receiving yards last week by amassing 1,892 yards.  He has a really good chance today of becoming the first receiver to hit the 2,000 yard mark and to take down Michael Irvin's record of 12 games with 100 receiving.  Good Luck, Megatron.

For this fan, I finally had the chance to see my Chiefs play live, and they had an amazing come from behind victory against the New Orleans Saints.  They proceeded to win 1 more total game, and considering they are playing Peyton Manning today, I don't really see them winning one more.  It has been an all-around bad year for the Chiefs.  Two wins on the season, fans wanting to revolt, and I won't even discuss the events of December 1.  Clark Hunt is going to have to take a long hard look at his team going into next season.  The Chiefs are in need of many things including a head coach, general manager, and quarterback, and I don't see the draft helping with the quarterback issue.  Ah, well...Thanks guys for a great first game from this fan.  I'll see you in August!  The Chiefs will be better next year!

I also had the chance to see my favorite player Tony Gonzalez play live this year as well, during what was arguably his best game of the season with 15 receptions, 122 yards, and 2 touchdowns (#100 and #101).  TG has been selected to his 13th Pro Bowl, but he is looking forward to the playoffs with his Atlanta Falcons.  He has 88 receptions, 889 yards, and 8 touchdowns (He loves those 8s doesn't he?).  They have locked up homefield throughout the playoffs, and TG is looking forward to dancing into the sunset down Bourbon Street.  Who can blame him?  Sixteen seasons in the NFL.  He holds the tight-end records in receptions-1,237 (#2 all-time), touchdowns-103 (#6 all-time), receiving yards-14,227 (#7 all-time), 100 yard games-30, 1,000 yard seasons-4, and Pro Bowls-13.  A Super Bowl win is what he is looking for to cap off his storied career.  Good luck, TG!!!

Now for the picks.  Last week, I went 13-3 (Tampa Bay, Houston, and San Francisco, y'all couldn't help a sister out?).  My record for the season is 122-77.  Let's pad that total...

Sunday, December 30
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts:  Indianapolis
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals:  Cincinnati
New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills:  Buffalo
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Pittsburgh
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans:  Tennessee
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions:  Chicago
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants:  New York (C'mon, Eli!!!)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons:  Atlanta
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints:  New Orleans (Congrats, Sean Payton on your contract extension!)
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots: New England
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos:  Denver (Although it would be wonderful if the Chiefs could pull this one out.)
Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers:  San Diego
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings:  Green Bay
St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks:  Seattle
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers:  San Francisco
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins:  Washington
 
So that's all, y'all.  Until next week, "Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good."~Joe Paterno

Eric Dickerson, 2,105 yards in 1984

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2012/12/nfl-record-chase-live-adrian-peterson-chases-eric-dickerson-j-j-watt-and-aldon-smith-in-reach-of-sacks-record/

NFL Week 5 Picks

It's week 5 guys and gals, and guess what?  Surprise, Surprise, my Chiefs are in the basement of one of the worse divisions in the NFL.  Sigh...I probably need to audition a new team.  The Chiefs are clearly not interested in winning this year...or ever.

There are somethings that are surprising at the quarter mark of the NFL season.  The Lions are 1-3, The Cardinals are 3-1, The Saints are 0-4, and the Falcons are 4-0.  I really didn't see this for the Saints.  Drew Brees may have thrown a few more picks than usual, but that defense makes the Chiefs D look potent.  The Falcons-well, I didn't expect 4-0, but I did pick them to go to the Super Bowl.  

October is breast cancer awareness month, and once again NFL players are breaking out the pink to honor those who have lost and survived the battle against breast cancer.  Prayers go out to the Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano who is in the hospital battling leukemia.  Let's do all we can to defeat this horrible disease.

October is also part of Hispanic Heritage Month.  Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Americans with ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.  It is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 because it falls between the Independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua (Sept. 15) [Mexico and Chile's are Sept. 16] and Columbus Day October 12. According to NFL.com, there are 31 active players of Hispanic descent in the NFL including Tony Gonzalez (Falcons), Victor Cruz (New York Giants), Mark Sanchez (New York Jets), and Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys).  

Speaking of Tony Gonzalez, no touchdowns for TG last week, so his TD count is still at 98.

Fantasy players do not forget that Dallas, Detroit, Oakland, and Tampa Bay have a bye this week.  Last week, I went 8-7 which brings my record to 34-28.  Little breathing room between me and .500. 
Now to the pick...

Sunday, October 7
Cleveland Browns vs. New York Giants:  New York
Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals:  Miami
Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs:  Baltimore
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Pittsburgh
Green Bay Packers vs. Indianapolis Colts:  Green Bay
Atlanta Falcons vs. Washington Redskins:  Atlanta

Chicago Bears vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:  Chicago
Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers:  Carolina
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots:  New England
Buffalo Bills vs. San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco
Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota

San Diego Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints: New Orleans (Sean Payton gets to watch in a secure location to see if [and he probably will] Drew Brees will break Johnny Unitas record of 47 straight games with a touchdown.)

Monday, October 8
Houston Texans vs. New York Jets:  Houston

Thursday, October 11
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans:  Pittsburgh

That's it everybody.  Until next week, “You're never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you lose.”~Lou Holtz 

NFL Week 6 Picks:

Good morning, y'all...It is Week 6 in the NFL, and what have we learned so far. The Packers, Bills, 49ers, and Lions are pretty darn good. The Chiefs, Vikings, Colts, and Eagles are pretty darn bad. The Cowboys, Falcons, Steelers, and Bears can't quite get themselves together. Ah, the NFL...gotta love it.

Hey Ma! I'm on TV!-Picks from a Maniac Maenad Week 10

Welcome back, everybody! It's week 10 of the NFL season, and the NFL Week is already off and running. Did you guys watch the pre-game extravaganza before the Thursday night game? Yeah, me either. I was also not that fond of Joe Theismann, Matt Millen, and Bob Papa trio in the booth. Yikes, and here I thought it was torture listening to Joe Buck every Sunday. Any hoo, the Atlanta Falcons and the Baltimore Ravens eventually took the field with the Falcons winning 26-21. I was rooting for neither although I had fantasy players on both sides. (Dear Matt Ryan, could you help a sister out and more than occasionally throw a TD TG's way? Y'all are killing me!!!)

As I was drifting in and out of that game Thursday (I still haven't gotten use to this time), I thought I would have a little fun this week. NFL players love to have their time on TV. Case in point, Tony Gonzalez's appearance on One Tree Hill. No, I didn't see it, mostly because I hate One Tree Hill. I started looking at the different teams in the NFL, and because I'm apparently bored, I started putting TV titles to some of this years NFL stories.

Everybody Hates Brad-Apparently, Hell has a new location called Minneapolis, and Brad Childress has been labeled Lucifer. Watch the hilarity ensue as players insult the caters! Anonymous players declare they will win in spite of the coach. The Quarterback gets busted sexting and tries to convince the public and his wife that those naughty pictures are his, as his wide receiving corps rotates injuries from migraines to hips.

The Walking Dead: A new series that revolves around the plight of survivors in three cities as they try to avoid the walking dead. The series originally starred Wade Phillips, Mike Singletary, and Chan Gailey as the leader of the survivors in their respective cities of Dallas, San Francisco, and Buffalo, but after poor ratings, one of the executive producers Jerry Jones, fired Phillips and replaced him with upstart Jason Garrett who will try to lead the Dallas survivors victory. Guest star Shawne Merriman has already succumbed by merely stepping on the practice field.

Haley and Mangini's Believe it or Not: Todd Haley and his fearless sidekicks Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel take you to places throughout the country to reveal unbelievable feats like maintaining a lead in the AFC West, constantly going for it on fourth down, driving the collective blood pressures of their fans to astronomical highs and lows in the same quarter. I'm not allowed to watch or listen anymore, due to high superstitions, and the fact that every time I watch/listen something bad happens. Meanwhile, Eric Mangini and his Browns continue to spank teams they have no business beating.

The Amazing Race: The NFC South edition watch each week as one of these teams overcome roadblocks and detour on their way to the pit stop at the top of the NFC South. Currently, the Atlanta Falcons are coming in first every week, but the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are having stronger showings every week. Will the Super Bowl Champs return to form with the return of Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and Darren Sharper? Will Drew Brees knee hold up? Will the parvenu Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their fired up coach Raheem Morris bounce back from their week 9 loss at the "Matt" to the Falcons? Who will win?

Psych: Every week Jim Caldwell pretends that he is the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. He raises his play card to his mouth and talks into a headset that isn't actually plugged in while Peyton Manning continues to be, well Peyton Manning, the man who finds a way to win with anybody in a blue and white uniform.

Rescue Me: Starring Steve Smith, Donovan McNabb, Marvin Lewis, and the Carolina Panthers. It really needs no explanation.

$#*! My Coach Says: Each week the New York Jets players try to find a way to one up the outrageous antics of their coach Rex Ryan. From heckling a reporter to calling each other out on Twitter, this team constantly tries to find ways to out"wit" their feisty coach. This week finds Rex playing his twin brother Rob during a press conference.

Well, I think it is time for me to throw in the towel on two of my fantasy teams.

• Hecates's HellHounds of the League of Champions league: 6-3 (Slipped again.)
  
• Kansas City Chiefs of the Dynasty Orginization League: 4-5 (on a two game win streak which will come to an end because I forgot about the game on Thursday)
  
• Runtelldat Homeboys of the Big Easy League: 2-7 (The fat lady is practicing her scales.)
  
• The Cromartie Eight of the Football Fist Pump League: 4-5 (Trying to make it to .500.)
  
• Matching Mugshots of the Atypical Sports Show League: 2-7 (There are no words.)

Well, last week I didn't fair too badly. I went a sound 9-4, bringing my picks record to 66-48.
Let's see how this week goes.

Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills: Buffalo

Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears: Chicago

NY Jets at Cleveland Browns: New York Jets

Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins: Tennessee

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts: Indianapolis

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars: Houston

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos: Kansas City

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals: Arizona

Dallas Cowboys at NY Giants: New York Giants

St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers: St. Louis Rams

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh

Monday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins: Philadelphia

Until next week, “If you’ll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives.” -Vince Lombardi

In Defense of Shawne Merriman...

Hey, guys! I know, there are a couple of my readers curious as to my feelings about the situation with Shawne Merriman and the San Diego Chargers this week. If you haven’t heard by now, and I really can’t imagine why you haven’t, Merriman was placed on IR with a minor injury stipulation, which means in 6 weeks, if he is healthy, the Chargers have to release him. For all practical purposes, his days as a San Diego Charger are done.

I had heard that there was a potential chance for Merriman to be cut. Even so, I was still surprised to hear that they were taking this route, but then again I was surprised when A.J. Smith fired Marty Schottenheimer after a 14-2 season. *Shrug* So, for the next 6 weeks, the NFL will be Merriman-less. I’m glad the Chiefs have a winning record.

The thing that really surprised me, however, was the number of negative comments made by some San Diego “fans.” First, there were the ones who commented, “get rid of the bum because he hasn’t been any good since he got off the ‘roids.”

1. Merriman tested positive in April of 2006. He was suspended in September of 2006. He deserved the suspension, because even if you are “unaware” of a substance is in the supplement, you are responsible for getting it tested. He was suspended without pay for four weeks. He lost more in those 4 weeks than most of us will make in 4 years. Not to mention, it cost him the Defensive player of the Year. Plus, he has the dubious honor of having an NFL rule named after him.

2. He finished the 2006 season with the following stats: 62 tackles, 17 sacks, 7 PDef, and an interception.

3. He finished the 2007 season with the following stats: 68 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 4 PDef.

That doesn’t look like a fall off to me; therefore, the “roids” argument doesn’t wash, so let that argument go, because it doesn’t hold water.

Then, there were the ones who commented, “he is an off-field distraction, who has delusions of Hollywood more than football.” Really? Name an NFL player who isn’t trying to make it in Hollywood? So, that’s not Shaun Phillips on Kick Off Cook Off. Philip Rivers isn’t in that ESPN commercial. Apparently, Antonio Gates doesn't do commercials or the ESPYs either. Football careers are short lived. These guys have to make a dime anyway they can. If Hollywood is willing to give them the money, I have two words-take it. That whole business with Pro Football Talk was to be done on the nights most players go out and party. I would rather have my players in a studio talking football, than getting drunk in a club (as long as he didn’t discuss out playbook). Don't start me on Peyton Manning...

Arrests. Shaun Phillips was arrested in 2006 for resisting arrest and was cited for slapping a security guard in 2009. Plus, he has an impending civil case in Las Vegas for allegedly slapping a 54 year-old woman. No, distractions there. The guy you protest to miss and need so much, Vincent Jackson was arrested and sentenced not once but twice for driving under the influence. By all means, give him whatever he wants. Plus, Jackson was arrested for driving with a supended license the morning of the playoff game with the Jets (a game in which he received a 15 yard penalty for kicking Rex Ryan's challenge flag). By all means, welcome him. Merriman was arrested, released, charges dismissed for his alleged "assault" on Tila Nguyen. You guys want to defend a woman who claimed she was pregnant by a rapper, not pregnant by a rapper, but a surrogate for her brother, but not a surrogate for her brother, cause she's not pregnant, but engaged to marry a woman who dies shortly after the engagement. Those are just the ones that popped up in my newspapers. Yet, several people called him a woman beater. *eyes rolling*

Merriman's injury came on December 9, 2007 after a cheap shot hit on him in "retaliation" for Vince Young running into him. David Stewart and Kevin Mawae were fined a total of $17,500 for that hit on Merriman. The Chargers doctors diagnosed Merriman with knee ligament "sprains." His missed one game and played the rest of the season virtually on one leg, because those "sprains" were actually tears to his PCL and LCL.

Did you forget the rematch a few weeks later in the playoffs where Merriman 4 tackles, 1 sack and a FF? ON ONE LEG. Playing the next week against Indy with 5 tackles and 1 PDef. ON ONE LEG. Playing the next week and the Pro Bowl. Okay. So maybe he should have taken off the Pro Bowl and had surgery. He still would have only played a hand full of games in 2008, and the injury takes at least a year to fully recover. So, he tried to play in 2008 with one leg. Surgery. He comes back pulled groin and plantar fasciitis. He only had 4 sacks and 28 tackles in 2009. If sacks are the only stat you look at, Nick Barnett and Patrick Willis also only had four. Ray Lewis only had 3. Granted they had far more tackles, but most of you are really only looking at the sack stat, Merriman was not really drafted for his tackling. It was for the sacks. Good luck sacking even the slowest quarterback with those injuries. My point is...HE PLAYED!!!

Then, there is this year. Yes, yes. The ill-advised sit out, but he showed up. Then, there was the Achilles. Then, there was the calf-strain. So, now he's done Charger fans. He's about to be where most of you want him, on his way to being "someone else's problem." So, Shawne here's what you do. Rest the leg. Get therapy on the Achilles and calf. Repeat. Take whatever the next team offers that reasonable. Don't hem and haw too much. Don't talk about it at all. Take the deal. Take the field, and model your comeback after Drew Brees, who they thought was washed up, too.

Good luck, Shawne...

Until next time, "The best revenge is massive success."~Frank Sinatra

Fantasy Quarterbacks Report

Howdy do, everybody. Well, it's almost that time...The fantasy seasons are gearing up. Fantasy geeks all over are perusing fantasy mags, crunching numbers, and selecting punny names for their teams...Now, you need a quarterback.

Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints. The reigning Super Bowl Champs has one of the fantasy heroes of one of the past few years. In addition to leading the Saints to the Lombardi trophy, Brees racked up 4388 yards while leading the league with 34 touchdowns. Brees only gave up 11 interceptions over the 16 game season. Brees had 7 games where he threw for over 300 yards including a 419 yard performance against the Washington Redskins. He finished the fantasy season with 336.50 fantasy points averaging 22.43 pts. per game.

Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers finished in the top 5 in passing yards touchdowns, and fantasy points. Rodgers ended the 2009 season with 4434 yards and 30 touchdowns. Rodgers, unlike his predecessor Brett Favre, doesn't turn the ball over much either with only 7 interceptions last season. Rodgers only had 5 games over 300 yards last year, but he averaged 277.13 yards per game. He finished the fantasy season with 372.10 fantasy points, averaging 23.26 fantasy pts. per game.

Matt Shaub of the Houston Texans. Matt Shaub led all quarterbacks in passing yards last year with 4770 yards. He threw 29 touchdowns; however, he also turned the ball over 15 times last year, but it was good enough to start the Pro Bowl in place of Peyton Manning. Matt Shaub had 9 games where he tossed over 300 yards, including a 392 yard 4 touchdown performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. Shaub finished the year with 298.13 yards per game. He finished the fantasy season with 331.60 fantasy points, averaging 20.73 pts. per game.

Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts. Peyton has been a fantasy stalwart for years now, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Peyton was second in both yards and touchdowns last year. He racked up 4500 yards and 33 touchdowns to 16 interceptions. (You ever notice that Peyton Manning only needs one name now?). Like Shaub, Manning tossed for over 300 yards 9 times last year. His best game was a 379 yard, 4 touchdown performance against the Arizona Cardinals. He finished the fantasy season with 322.70 fantasy points, averaging 20.17 pts. per game.

Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. Coming of a knee injury, Brady had a lot to prove last year, and for fantasy players he did not disappoint. He finished the season with 4398 yards and 28 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. He threw for over 300 yards 7 times last year. His best game was a 380 yard, 6 touchdown performance against the Tennessee Titans (I remember, because Brady spanked one of my teams by himself.). He finished the fantasy season with 314.30 fantasy points, averaging 19.64 pts. per game.

Other Top Ten Quarterbacks:
Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys), Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers), Brett Favre (Minnesota Vikings, unless he decides to be the starting quarterback for Oak Grove), Eli Manning (New York Giants), Donovan McNabb (Washington Redskins), and Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears). Look for much improvement from Vince Young (Tennessee Titans), Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) and Matthew Stafford.


Rookie on the Rise: Sam Bradford of the St. Louis Rams
All eyes are turning toward St. Louis and the Rams #1 pick Sam Bradford. The Rams have a much riding a kid that only played 3 games last year because of a bum shoulder. In his 31 game career with the Oklahoma Sooners, Bradford threw for over 8400 yards with 88 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. The 2008 Heisman Trophy winner will now try to turn the Rams around. Good luck, Sam.

*Fantasy tip: Make sure you read the rules for your fantasy league's points system. Points vary from Organization to organization (NFL.com, ESPN.com, Yahoo.com) and from league to league.

Until next time, "I learned that if you want to make it bad enough, no matter how bad it is, you can make it." Gale Sawers


**stats provided by NFL.com and FantasyFootballChallenge.com