The closest thing to perfection in terms of an NFL
quarterback, Manning still can’t seem to get over the hump in the postseason.
Luckily that doesn’t matter to the average fantasy baller, most of whom would
be happy with a repeat of his NFL-record 49 touchdowns and 4,557 yards passing.
No quarterback is more consistent, and no other quarterback has an arsenal as
deep. The Greatest Show on Turf now resides in the RCA Dome, and Manning’s the
triggerman.
Key Stat: Michael Vick had 14 TD passes in 2004. Manning had
14 during one three-game stretch.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Indianapolis 67.6 4,557 49 10 38 0
2.
Daunte Culpepper, QB, Minnesota
The
loss of Moss makes C-Pepp the boss, an you won’t get many complaints from the
Minnesota faithful. Coming off a career season despite the absence of Moss for
more than a quarter of the season, Culpepper more than proved the quarterback,
not the wide receiver, is the catalyst for an offense. The Vikings passing game
will become more of a team approach, but Culpepper will still pile on the
fantasy stats.
Key Stat: Culpepper led the NFL in passing
yardage, and finished second among QBs in rushing yards.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Minnesota 64.0 4,717 39 11 406 2
3. Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia
After Manning and Culpepper there’s a distinct dropoff at the quarterback position. The next grouping is still capable of leading a fantasy dynasty, but little separates the pack. McNabb gets the nod at No. 3 because he has a wide receiver whose mouth is bigger than the Grand Canyon. Assuming Terrell Owens actually shows up to play in 2004, you can bet he’ll be clamoring for the ball like a little kid does a pacifier. That’s not a bad thing for McNabb’s fantasy owners, because Owens may have the best hands in the game. Now entering his prime, McNabb still hasn’t reached his ceiling even if he’s curtailed his running.
Key Stat: McNabb’s rushing yardage has dropped in five
straight seasons. He ran for 629 yards in 2000 and just 220 in ’04.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Philadelphia 64.0 3,875 31 8 220 3
4. Brett
Favre, QB, Green Bay
Forget epic dramas like Troy and Gladiator. Someone needs to do a flick on Favre, a present-day warrior in the NFL. Some may say he’s over the hill, but remember, Major League Baseball is still waiting for Roger Clemens to fall from the top of the mountain. One of only three quarterbacks to throw for more than 4,000 yards and at least 30 touchdowns last year, Favre still has a great ground attack and three excellent wideouts in the passing game. It’s more than enough to keep him among the elite fantasy signal-callers for at least another season.
Key Stat: Favre has thrown at least 30 touchdowns in three of
the last four years.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Green Bay 64.1 4,088 30 17 36 0
5. Trent Green, QB, Kansas City
Green is without question the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL. He simply gets no respect after consecutive 4,000-yard passing seasons. That’s what happens when you have Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson and a non-descript group of wide receivers. Somehow, Green gets the job done, and well. The addition of Freddie Mitchell brings flair and game-breaking ability, while the growth of Samie Parker and drafting of Craphonso Thorpe also help Green’s situation. The strength of the running game takes away potential touchdown passes, but the yardage numbers are huge.
Key Stat: Green finished second to Culpepper in passing yardage.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Kansas City 66.4 4,591 27 17 85 0
6. Michael Vick, QB, Atlanta
While Vick hasn’t developed into the passer many hoped he would just yet, he nearly became the first quarterback in NFL history to run for 1,000 yards. He missed one game and fell 98 yards shy, not a tall order for a signal-caller who ran for at least 100 yards three times. That’s one more than Kevan Barlow had and one fewer than Ahman Green and Jamal Lewis. A second season in the West Coast Offense, and upgrade of his receiving corps put Vick on the verge of the elite. He had more rushing yards than both Holmes and Marshall Faulk and had nearly 500 more rushing yards than the next quarterback (Culpepper). Three stud running backs in your fantasy lineup is never a bad thing, even if one is supposed to throw the ball for a living.
Key Stat: Vick had three 100-yard games, and threw more than
two touchdown passes five times last year.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Atlanta 56.4 2,313 14 12 902 3
7. Kerry Collins, QB, Oakland
Ladies and
gentlemen, the award for “Veteran QB Most Likely to Enjoy a Huge Season” goes
to Collins. His head coach is one of the better offensive minds in the business,
and the team added Moss during the offseason along with LaMont Jordan. The
Moss/Jerry Porter tandem is a defensive nightmare, and Collins still has Ronald
Curry and Doug Gabriel among his cache of weapons. He averaged 249.0 yards
passing per game after Rich Gannon went down and is staring down the barrel at
his first 4,000-yard season since 2002. The knock on Collins is turnovers, and
his 20 interceptions are costly in leagues where negative points are assessed.
Key Stat: Collins had 49 completions of at least 20 yards and
eight of 40 or more.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Oakland 56.3 3,495 21 20 36 0
8. Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis
A pass-happy coach and the tandem of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce keep Bulger among the most productive fantasy quarterbacks. He barely missed 4,000 yards passing but did cut his interception total by 33% (21-14) over 2003. His NFC West opponents play defense like Pop Warner teams, giving Bulger six favorable games right off the bat. He finished fourth in passing yards per game (283.1) and is a high-percentage passer with a strong head on his shoulders.
Key Stat: Bulger had two games of at least 448 yards passing.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
St. Louis 66.3 3,964 21 14 89 3
9. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle
One word best describes Hasselbeck in the eyes of his fantasy owners—disappointment. After blazing his way to 3,841 yards and 26 scores in 2003, many expected Hasselbeck to leap into the top five at his position. It didn’t happen after injuries and ineffectiveness caused a drop in his overall numbers. He also has to deal with Shaun Alexander, who steals touchdowns like the Hamburgler steals burgers, often. Could he throw for 40 touchdowns? Sure. Will he? Unlikely. A season of 30 touchdowns is what can be expected, especially after the team cut his No. 2 wideout, Koren Robinson, during the offseason.
Key Stat: Hasselbeck threw for 201 yards or less six times in
14 starts.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Seattle 58.9 3,382 22 15 27 90
10. Tom
Brady, QB, New England
Three Super Bowl titles in four years is great in real life, but it doesn’t make a difference to anyone in the fantasy world. New England head coach Bill Belichick is a firm believer in establishing the run—just look at Corey Dillon’s career year—before deferring to the pass. That’s kept Brady’s numbers below the other stat mongers at his position. Given the opportunity to throw every down, Brady could be an elite fantasy performer. He’s the baseball equivalent of Derek Jeter. A proven winner who does whatever it takes to win, even if it means sacrificing his own numbers. Of course, New England’s success also means fewer chances to play from behind.
Key Stat: Brady has averaged 3,692 yards and 26.3 touchdowns
over the last three years.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
New England 60.8 3,692 28 14 28 0
11. Chad
Pennington, QB, N.Y. Jets
Change was the name of the game for Gang Green during the offseason, as Pennington welcomed back Laveranues Coles and also got an excellent pass-catching tight end in Doug Jolley. He’s suddenly at the helm of a passing attack that can stretch the field and give defenses shaky knees. Decision-making is one of his strengths, and now Pennington has the surrounding talent that can put his brain to good use.
Key Stat: Injuries have kept Pennington off the field for
nine games over the last two seasons.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
N.Y. Jets 65.4 2,673 16 9 126 1
12. Drew
Brees, QB, San Diego
Nearly run out of town prior to the start of 2004, Brees was easily the most surprising performer at the quarterback position. His 27-7 touchdown-interception ratio was among the best in the game, and he accomplished this without a big-name wide receiver. Having LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates obviously played a major role in Brees’ dramatic statement season, but there’s little reason to think the success will come to a screeching halt. Prior to his NFL days, Brees was a rubber-armed, high-percentage passer. He’s merely continuing that for Marty Schottenheimer.
Key Stat: Brees threw at least two touchdown passes seven
times last year.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
San Diego 65.5 3,159 27 7 85 2
13. Jake
Delhomme, QB, Carolina
Delhomme has a revolving door at wide receiver, specifically the No. 1 spot. Steve Smith returns after missing almost all of 2004 with an ankle injury, but veteran Muhsin Muhammad jumped shipped and went to Chicago. The beneficiary will be Keary Colbert, who just may be on the fast track to stardom given this opportunity. Finishing just shy of 4,000 yards passing, Delhomme isn’t a fantasy afterthought anymore. He’s backed by a strong running game and a head coach who’s not afraid to air out the pigskin.
Key Stat: Delhomme tossed at least three touchdowns four
times.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Carolina 58.2 3,886 29 15 71 1
14.
Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati
Finally,
Bengals fans have something to cheer about on a regular basis. Palmer can help
shake off the notion that Cincinnati fans are forever doomed to deal with
first-round busts like David Klingler. He put down the clipboard, picked up the
pigskin and instantly became a hit. Surrounded by some of the league’s best
young talent, the 2002 Heisman Trophy winner is a star in the making. He closed
the year with 11 touchdown throws in his last four games and completed 77.5 percent of his passes in the final
three.
Key Stat: Palmer had seven touchdowns in his first 10 games
and 11 in his final four.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Cincinnati 62.3 3,369 18 18 47 1
15. Byron
Leftwich, QB, Jacksonville
Maybe it was a year too early to jump on Byron’s bandwagon. Aside from Jimmy Smith, Leftwich was surrounded by unproven talent at wide receiver. Year 2 of the Reggie Williams/Ernest Wilford experiment should play out better, and the offseason knee surgery on Fred Taylor puts a definite wrench in an otherwise solid ground attack. More of the offense’s weight will fall on Leftwich’s shoulders, and it should be noted that a wrist injury did hamper his second-half production. As a backup QB, Leftwich is on the high end of the fantasy scale.
Key Stat: During one four-game stretch (Weeks 4-7), Leftwich
topped the 300-yard mark three times.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Jacksonville 60.5 2,941 15 10 148 2
Unlike Favre, who takes a lickin’ but keeps on tickin’ better than a Timex, McNair has had his trouble with the injury bug. Coupled with the loss of his top wide receiver, Derrick Mason, it puts McNair on the short list of quarterbacks to be weary of. At 32 his body has taken a pounding and it shows in his decision-making. McNair’s rushing yardage has plummeted over the last three seasons, especially in the attempts category. In 2002 he had 82, the following year just 38. His days of being a regular fantasy contributor are coming to an end, but he can still be effective in spot duty.
Key Stat: McNair threw fewer than two touchdowns in six of
his eight appearances.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Tennessee 60.0 1,343 8 9 128 1
Frustrating, aggravating, talented. One week he throws for 300 yards, the next he coughs up a fumble on a bonehead play. Such is life for Brooks’ owners. Equal parts talent and addled-headed, he’s fully capable of helping your team win or lose. Don’t read too much into Brooks’ four rushing scores, because Deuce McAllister spent much of the year nursing a bum ankle. Do read into his consistently unimpressive touchdown-interception ratio that’s a combined 107-67 over the last five years and completion percentage that never climbs above 59 percent. The weapons are there, but Brooks only seems to post huge numbers when the Saints are playing from behind.
Key Stat: Brooks has thrown for at least 3,500 yards in each
of the last four years.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
New Orleans 57.0 3,810 21 16 173 4
18.
Jake Plummer, QB, Denver
Captain
Turnover returned in 2004, as Plummer’s alter ego tossed at least 20 picks for
the third time in five seasons. On the bright side, he finished with over 4,000
yards passing and a career-high in touchdowns. But man, those interceptions can
be costly for fantasy owners. It’s apparent that no matter how good the offense
surrounding Plummer is, he’ll revert to Captain Turnover for stretches that
seem longer than a winter blizzard in Denver. He’s a great find in yardage
leagues and 27 touchdowns is nothing to sneeze at, either.
Key Stat: Plummer threw at least two interceptions seven
times.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Denver 58.2 4,089 27 20 202 1
19. Brian
Griese, QB, Tampa Bay
Forget about a Ferrari. Jon Gruden’s offensive upgrade was a brand-spankin’ new Cadillac, as in Carnell Williams. Efficient to a fault, Griese never really had a solid running game last year. Now he has that, as well as a strong receiving crew led by Michael Clayton. Gruden can finally work his offensive wizardry in Tampa Bay now that he’s got the key components in place. Keep Griese on your short list of sleepers. A 25-touchdown season is well within range, and he’ll do it by keeping interceptions at a minimum.
Key Stat: Griese had seven multiple-touchdown games and
closed with three 300-yard outings in Tampa’s last five games.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Tampa Bay 66.3 2,632 20 12 46 0
20. Ben
Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh
It’s appropriate that Big Ben had a sandwich named after him in Pittsburgh. He was, after all, hero…and come to think of it he was on a roll for much of his rookie campaign, too. He’ll take another step forward despite the loss of Plaxico Burress, because he gains the talents of Antwaan Randle El on a larger scale. Because Bill Cowher goes to the running game as a first, second and sometimes third option, Roethlisberger’s growth in the fantasy realm will remain stunted. He’ll hit 20 touchdowns, but don’t expect many mind-numbing games in the stat department.
Key Stat: Roethlisberger did not throw for more than two
touchdowns in any of his 14 games.
2004 TEAM COMP
% PASS YDS TDs INTs RUSH YDS RUSH TDs
Pittsburgh 66.4 2,621 17 11 144 1
21. Kyle
Boller, QB, Baltimore
22. David
Carr, QB, Houston
23. Kurt
Warner, QB, Arizona
24. J.P.
Losman, QB, Buffalo
25. Eli
Manning, QB, N.Y. Giants
26. Trent
Dilfer, QB, Cleveland
27. Joey
Harrington, QB, Detroit
If Harrington
can’t get the job done with Roy Williams, Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, his
NFL career will be short-lived.
28. Patrick Ramsey, QB, Washington
29. Drew Bledsoe, QB, Dallas
30. Rex Grossman, QB,
Chicago
31. Alex
Smith, QB, San Francisco
32. A.J.
Feeley, QB, Miami
33. Billy
Volek, QB, Tennessee
In relief of McNair, Volek exploded for back-to-back 400-yard efforts and had a four-game stretch where he threw for 11 touchdowns.
34. Kelly
Holcomb, QB, Buffalo
35. Jeff
Garcia, QB, Detroit
An excellent late-round choice given Harrington’s woes.
36. Charlie
Frye, QB, Cleveland
Dilfer is merely keeping Frye’s seat warm.
37. Josh McCown, QB, Arizona
There are worse backups than McCown, who had a pair of three-touchdown games last year.
38. Drew
Henson, QB, Dallas
Bledsoe’s nothing more than a quick-fix for the Cowboys, who are in desperate need of a long-term solution.
39. Gus
Frerrote, QB, Miami
Why would anyone have undying confidence in A.J. Feeley these days?
40. Jim
Sorgi, Indianapolis
Hey, you never know. One play could put Sorgi at the helm of the NFL’s top offense.