Quarterback FantasiesWhen it comes to fantasy football, it only makes sense to start with the quarterbacks. After all, these studs have been the stars of our fantasies for years! The quarterbacks are the macho men with the enviable guns who heroically guide their units to battle. But to top our list, a man must have more than a big gun and an alluring job – he must be ready to produce. Here are our top twelve quarterbacks who are ready and able to satisfy their fantasy owners’ needs:
1) Kurt Warner, St. Louis: Even with a bum thumb, the wondrous Warner was able to produce luscious stats in 2001. He crushed his fellow gunslingers with 4830 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. Warner will once again have his sizzling supporting cast of Faulk, Bruce and Holt to pump him up to the top of the fantasy charts.
2) Peyton Manning, Indianapolis: Last season was a bitter disappointment for Manning and his mates. Peyton struggled as he tried to compensate for his injured star running back and missing defense. Despite throwing an eye-popping 26 interceptions, Manning did lead the AFC with 4131 passing yards and threw 26 touchdowns. He is not known for his frisky legs, but Manning did scamper for four scores on the ground as well. Next year will prove to be a rebound season for the hot-to-trot Colt. Manning has a new scoring partner in Qadry Ismail and Edgerrin James will be back to take some of the heat.
3) Jeff Garcia, San Francisco: Garcia is at his best when he is steaming up the gridiron with his best mate, Terrell Owens. Garcia leads all quarterbacks with 63 passing touchdowns over the last two seasons. However fantasy owners get a big boost from Garcia’s fancy groundwork as well. In three seasons, Jeff has rushed for 899 yards and 11 touchdowns.
4) Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota: The Vikings’ beefy gunslinger certainly had a flopper of a season in 2001. But even at his worst, Daunte can still pack a wallop by producing fantasy points on the ground. Culpepper’s knee is looking good and the offensive line has improved with the addition of rookie phenom Bryant McKinnie. Culpepper’s passing and running games should also be aided by the signing of speedster Derrick Alexander. Moss and Alexander should combine for plenty of huge plays as they stretch the defense and provide their virile quarterback with ample room to run.
5) Brett Favre, Green Bay: If we were picking solely with our hearts, the Packers’ frisky quarterback would be at the very top. However, we are doing our best to be objective so as not to lead you fantasy owners astray! The Packers have undergone quite a shakeup in their receiving corp and we must admit we were a bit skeptical with the signing of perennial head-case Terry Glenn. However, we New England girls know just how potent Glenn can be when his head is in the game. And Glenn appears determined to put his past behind him and put out for his new master. The bottom line is that when Favre is healthy, it really does not matter whom he is throwing to.
6) Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia: This poor fella is so gifted, however he has never been surrounded by a worthy supporting cast. In his three seasons as the Eagles’ quarterback, no wide receiver has produced more than 833 yards in a season. After the Philly wide receivers only combined for 15 touchdowns in 2001, Coach Reid opted not to sign a veteran free agent and is sticking with his youngsters. They should show improvement from last season, but if they continue to falter, McNabb will always put up fantasy points with his legs.
7) Trent Green, Kansas City: Trent certainly had some ugly moments in 2001 – his 17 touchdowns and 24 interceptions could not have been the numbers Coach Vermeil was expecting went he brought in his former prize pupil. However, we have faith in Dick to fine tune Green’s offense in 2002. The wide receiver situation was a mess last season and Trent still managed to post the 6th highest passing yards in the NFL. The Chiefs have been thrilled with the play of new addition Johnnie Morton. Green will also benefit from the return of Sylvester Morris and the development of sophomore Marvin Minnis. As long as star tight end Tony Gonzalez shows up in camp without a basketball injury, Green and his unit should be ready to roll.
8) Aaron Brooks, New Orleans: The Saints looked lost and confused as they ended their year on a four-game slide. However, Brooks still produced 3832 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. His numbers should only improve as the Saints intend to open up the passing game with 3-receiver packages featuring stud Joe Horn, ex-Colt Jerome Pathon and explosive rookie Daunte Stallworth. The Saints have also added reliable tight end David Sloan to the receiving mix.
9) Rich Gannon, Oakland: Yes, he is getting old. But Gannon’s mesmerizing cannon has a few more bullets left in it. Despite his age, Gannon has proven to be very durable starting in every game the last three years. He has also thrown 55 touchdowns and added six on the ground in his last two seasons. At Rich’s age, a small drop-off would not be surprising, however a declining Gannon is still better than most gunslingers at their peaks.
10) Brian Griese, Denver: Griese has not yet put together a super-stat season; however the fantasy potential is certainly there. If Griese, his receivers and at least one running back can stay healthy, the Broncos could re-emerge as one of the league’s top offenses. The return of Ed McCaffrey should be a huge boost to Griese, who relied far too heavily on Rod Smith last season. Griese will also have the most productive receiving tight end in NFL history back on his team as he reunites with Shannon Sharpe.
11) Drew Bledsoe, Buffalo: We New England girls remember how amazing this lad can be when surrounded by talented sidekicks. The Bills have improved their offensive line by drafting the mammoth Mike Williams and signing ex-Bronco Trey Teague. They also have able-bodied receivers in Eric Moulds, Peerless Price and rookie Josh Reed. If running back Travis Henry can continue to emerge and take the pressure off the passing game, Bledsoe could be in the running for comeback player of the year.
12) Kordell Stewart, Pittsburgh: Kordell always manages to irk his fans with inconsistent play at inopportune times, however he has re-established himself as the undisputed starting quarterback for the Steelers and put up some healthy fantasy football numbers in 2001 as he added 537 rushing yards and five scores on the ground to his stats. Last season Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress both stepped up and posted over 1000 receiving yards each. Stewart also has a new target in ex-Falcon Terance Mathis. Stewart may never be the super-stud we once imagined, but his legwork will help him satisfy his fantasy owners.
