Sports Betting Articles
2007 Fantasy Football Quarterbacks
By James Lincoln Ray
Jun 27, 2007
With most fantasy drafts still two months away, only fanatics are thinking about which quarterback to pick. Well, loonies, here are the official rankings.
Here are your Best Fantasy Quarterbacks, from 1 through 10. Some of this is probably what most fantasy players would expect, but there are at least a few surprises on this list.
1. Peyton Manning, Inidanapolis Colts. (2006: 4,397 yards, 31 TDs, 9 Ints)
Since Manning came into the League, he's averaged 31 touchdowns and 4,200 yards passing per year. That's the best ever for a player in his first nine seasons. Last year, Manning showed that he has no intentions of slowing down, when he threw for 4,400 yards and 31 touchdowns while throwing just 9 picks. Amazing fantasy value. Manning will give you 4,300 yards and 32 touchdowns.
2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots (3,529 yards, 24 TDs, 12 Ints)
Tom Brady is a perplexing Fantasy Football character. He always seems to get drafted much lower than his talent should dictate. It's as if he loses points for being so damn reliable. But the numbers are there, and they are there just about every year. Now that he has Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth to to throw to (instead of Jabbar Gaffney), look for Brady to have a his best year: 4,200 yards and 30 touchdowns.
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (4,418 yards, 26 TDs, 11 Ints)
Although so much attention was paid to Brees during his dream season in New Orleans last year, fantasy owners should remember that 2006 was not Drew's first good year. The guy has been money in the bank for three straight years: (2004 - 3,159 yards, 27 Tds, 7 Ints; 2005: 3,576 yards, 24 Tds, 15 Ints; see 2006 above). He is also just 27 years old and hes's got Reggie Bush and Marques Colston on his team. That makes Brees a dangerous fantasy quarterback. He'll get 3,800 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2007
4. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals (4,035, 28 TDs, 13 Ints)
Palmer is a hard one. He is one of the best men behind center in the NFL. No doubt about that. The questions about Palmer really pertain more to his teammates. In particular, Mr. Chris Henry. Last season, Henry began to break out, picking up 605 recieving yards and 9 touchdowns. Because he's an idiot, however, Henry will be out for at least the first eight games of the 2007 season. Who is going to give Palmer those 350 yards and 5 touchdowns that Henry would have provided over the first half?
That is why Palmer is number 4 instead of number 2. He will still be very good, giving his fantasy owner 3,800 yards and 26 Touchdowns.
5. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams (4,301, 24 TDs, 8 Ints)
For some resaon, it's hard for fantasy owners to warm up to Marc Bulger. No matter what numbers he puts up, owners routinely pass him over for more exciting, though often less productive, signal callers. It may surprise you to hera that in his career Bulger has averaged 275 yards and 1.6 touchdowns per game. That's 20 points a game in fantasy leagues that award six points for a TD and 1 point for 25 yards passing. Not too shabby.
6. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles (2,874 yards, 18 Tds,
McNabb still has enough talent to justify a top-3 spot, but let's face it, the man has a serious injury problem. As great as he is, this guy goes down and out way too frequently. McNabb played only 9 games in 2002. Same thing in 2005. Last year, he made 10 starts before tearing his ACL and undergoing season-ending surgery.
So, do you draft him knowing that he could easily be either: the best quarterback in the draft, or an injury waiting to happen? Tough choice. That's why he's ranked sixth. If he plays every game, though, McNabb will give you 3,500 yards, 25 passing tds, and 400 yards rushing, and 3-5 rushing tds.
7. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (3,388, 22 Tds, 9 Ints)
Rivers had a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations when he took over for former Chargers' signal caller Drew Brees, whose tenure in San Diego had been marked by success and popularity. The pressure on Rivers heightened when Brees got off to a brilliant start in New Orleans. But Rivers held his own, leading the Chargers to a 14-2 mark while putting up some very solid fantasy numbers. 2007 will see Rivers become even more adept at running the Chargers' potent offense. Look for him to pass for 3,400 yards and 24 Touchdowns.
8. John Kitna, Detroit Lions (4,204 yards, 21 Tds, 22 Ints)
Yes, there are all of those interceptions. And the touchdown total is okay, but nothing to write about to write home about. But look at those yards. Then think that Roy Williams is going to be a year older and a year better. Also, remember that kid the Lions drafted with the Number 2 pick? Calvin Johnson? Well, he is going to make an immediate impact in this League. Kitna is completely batty if he really thinks the Lions will win more than 10 games, but that doesn't change the fact that he should throw for 4,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. (His potential for Ints, though, keep him out of the Top 7).
9. Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals (2,547 yards, 11 Tds, 12 Ints)
After three straight years of being the toast of College Football, Matt Leinart had a baptism by fire in 2006. Leinart replaced a beat-up Kurt Warner in the end of Week 4 and played straight through to week 15. At times, Leinart was pressured, often he was sacked, and a few times he was hurt. But, as he was at USC, he never really appeared to be beaten.
His forceful spirit should push the Cardinals, and his quarterback career, ahead a few notches this year. Remember, he still has Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin out there on the flanks. The team also acquired Buffalo Bills Mike Gandy and Penn State's mountainous Levi Brown, which will shore up the offensive line. If it works out with that line, this team could very suddenly became an offensive force. Look for Leinart to pass for 3,300 yards and 20 Touchdowns.
10. Eli Manning, New York Giants (3,244 yards, 24 Tds, 18 Ints)
Here is an eternal truth. Whether they win or lose, whether they play brilliantly or like dog shite, the Mannings always put up good numbers. It's just been bred into them. Check out some of thos years Archie had with the Saints. Worst teams since the Bead New Bears before they got Amanda and Kelly, and there's Archie throwing for 3,700 yards and 23 touchdowns while the Saints were going 1-15.
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