March 30th, 2009 10:47pm PST
[The Tuesday Edition]
Monday Morning Huddle
Talkin Sum (fantasy) Football
2009 Quarterbacks
So now that the NFL Draft is just 25 days away, it's never too early to start looking ahead to the upcoming fantasy season. One of the topics of discussion will not only be the top quarterbacks heading into the 2009 season, but also what rookie quarterbacks might emerge from this year's class.
Will there be any Matt Ryans or Joe Flaccos?
Well before I open that debate, let’s look at last year’s big arms. Drew Brees blew away the competition a year ago passing for over 5,000-yards and tossing a league high 34-touchdowns. While these numbers were far from Tom Brady's 2007 season, they were still quite very impressive. With Brady expected to return in 2009 healthy, but coming back from a severe knee injury, Brees has to be considered the favorite to go as the number fantasy quarterback. He'll have his normal array of weapons, with a healthy Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and healthy Reggie Bush, so fantasy owners can expect another big year from the former Boilermaker.
[The Tuesday Edition]
Monday Morning Huddle
Talkin Sum (fantasy) Football
2009 Quarterbacks
So now that the NFL Draft is just 25 days away, it's never too early to start looking ahead to the upcoming fantasy season. One of the topics of discussion will not only be the top quarterbacks heading into the 2009 season, but also what rookie quarterbacks might emerge from this year's class.
Will there be any Matt Ryans or Joe Flaccos?
Well before I open that debate, let’s look at last year’s big arms. Drew Brees blew away the competition a year ago passing for over 5,000-yards and tossing a league high 34-touchdowns. While these numbers were far from Tom Brady's 2007 season, they were still quite very impressive. With Brady expected to return in 2009 healthy, but coming back from a severe knee injury, Brees has to be considered the favorite to go as the number fantasy quarterback. He'll have his normal array of weapons, with a healthy Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and healthy Reggie Bush, so fantasy owners can expect another big year from the former Boilermaker.
(Photo by Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)
The debate will open with who is number two. After the impressive run by Batman (Kurt Warner: over 4,500-yards w/30 touchdowns) and Robin (Larry Fitzgerald: 96 receptions for 1,431-yards) down the stretch and into the playoffs last season, Kurt has to be a favorite to go top five and as high as number two. Many will argue that Mr. Tom Brady could take his rightful spot back near the top at number two, especially with all of his tools; Randy Moss and Wes Welker. One never knows how a player will respond coming back from injury, but training camp will definitely be a great place to get a better read, so right now it may be a bit of stretch to put all your eggs in Brady's bunch.
Rounding out the top five should include the consumate professional Peyton Manning, who was dynamite during last season fantasy playoffs, averaging 319.6-yards passing with seven touchdowns and zero turnovers. Now that is money and why he'll be drafted in the top five quarterbacks taken once again in all 2009 fantasy drafts. Another money player down the stretch in 2008 was the Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. The Bolts leader completed 65 of 101 passes (64%) in his last three games averaging 282-yards per game with nine touchdowns to just one interception.
Rounding out the top five should include the consumate professional Peyton Manning, who was dynamite during last season fantasy playoffs, averaging 319.6-yards passing with seven touchdowns and zero turnovers. Now that is money and why he'll be drafted in the top five quarterbacks taken once again in all 2009 fantasy drafts. Another money player down the stretch in 2008 was the Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. The Bolts leader completed 65 of 101 passes (64%) in his last three games averaging 282-yards per game with nine touchdowns to just one interception.
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Certainly this is an impressive list of quarterbacks with more than worthy credentials, but a few names to keep watch for that could make a run to crack the top five in 2009, Jay Cutler (wherever he lands), Aaron Rodgers (a second year at the helm will take him far), Donovan McNabb (if the Eagles get him help outside, he's a shoe in), and Matt Cassel (Brady's understudy ready to take lead role in a new show).
It's always nice to have high hopes for some of the up and coming kids, but there's just too much talent here for names like Ryan, Quinn, or Flacco to make a large enough splash to break in the top five in 2009. This year's crop of freshman like Stafford and Sanchez could find some early playing time, but none figure to have any relevance in fantasy this season.
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
It's always nice to have high hopes for some of the up and coming kids, but there's just too much talent here for names like Ryan, Quinn, or Flacco to make a large enough splash to break in the top five in 2009. This year's crop of freshman like Stafford and Sanchez could find some early playing time, but none figure to have any relevance in fantasy this season.
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
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