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Sunday Night Football Notes
Who is the next Kurt Warner?
Last season a projected back-up leads the way….
If you were slow to follow fantasy last season, maybe you like many others did not realize heading into training
Following a strong second-half run in 2007, Kurt Warner had to once again prove himself all over during the team’s training camp and preseason. It all made sense with Leinart being the younger quarterback and heir apparent to being the team’s franchise quarterback. It’s something the team is still waiting for, but in the interim Warner held court, won the job, passed for 4,500-yards, led the Cards to the Super Bowl, and the rest is history.
Looking ahead to the upcoming football season there are a handful of quarterbacks that are going to be overlooked early in fantasy drafts, simply because of what they did or didn’t do in 2008. Players like Marc Bulger, Matt Schaub, and Matt Ryan did not have spectacular seasons a year ago, so heading into the upcoming campaign they could get bypassed and overlooked. Even players like Carson Palmer, Brett Favre, and Matt Hasselbeck whose 2008 season was greatly affected by injury could miss the draft bus in the early rounds.
So, are any of these players worthy of being considered the next Kurt Warner? Well, some certainly seem to have some of the necessary stars aligned for the upcoming campaign. Ryan in
In
Palmer and Matt Hasselbeck are likely to fall into this same category coming off injury plagued 2008 seasons. Both have the plenty of talent and some playmakers left to be fantasy relevant, if they can stay healthy.
In St.Louis, the Rams Marc Bulger has certainly regressed over the past couple of seasons. With young receivers abound, a questionable offensive line, and their offense likely to be anchored by the legs of Steven Jackson, Bulger is a long shot to have a bust-out season.
Like some of the aforementioned players, Favre steps into a situation where he’ll be surrounded by playmakers, but at 40-years of age how many actually believe he’s going to step in and be a playmaker for the Vikings. Last season there was clear evidence of this veteran quarterback feeling the weight of a long and distinguished career. Even when the Vikings open camp, it will hardly be a stroll in the park for Brett Favre.
How will Favre fare this season? Is he a lock to start and even if he does how will he do? I can’t imagine that too many are buying heavily into his latest comeback and this could become quite apparent this summer when Favre’s fantasy value is likely see the former Packer slide into a mid-level QB2 selection (much like Warner last season).
Unlike Warner last year, Favre is likely to be handed the reigns to the offense this season, but after his demise down the stretch a year ago there has to be a lot of skepticism about how much he really has left in the tank. Health is likely to be the major concern for the aging vet, but only time will tell.
With players like Peterson, Berrian, and Harvin surrounding the former three-time NFL MVP, the stage is certainly set for a repeat of a Warner-like return to fame. If Favre is indeed healthy and can recapture some of that boyhood imagination and enthusiasm, not only will Viking fans be in for a treat this season, but fantasy owners could be as well.
A lot remains to be seen, but if you believe in good stories and great finishes we could be in for something quite special in 2009. Nonetheless, training camps are set to open in less than a week and its time for another year of fantasy. The other season of miracles!
By David Ortega
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