Fantasy Football Top Quarterbacks

Fantasy Football Hero brings you the first installment of the top fantasy players series. The pilots of the offense are the first to be ranked for many reasons unnecessary to discuss here.

Top 10 Quarterbacks for 2009

1. Tom Brady - New England Patriots

Too bold to give him the top spot after missing 2008? Ask Carson Palmer, Donovan McNabb, and Philip Rivers who all rebounded strongly after having the same ACL surgery. His 2007 performance just forces his position here. Adding Joey Galloway to the receiver core can only help.

2. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints

Even though he topped the league last year in fantasy points, Brees was actually pretty inconsistant. In eight road games, he threw only 11 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Having him on your roster can almost be a liability when he's away from the Dome.

3. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts

The commercial superstar could very well end up in the top spot at the end of the season. However, with age catching up and changes to the offense, there could be a dropoff in Peyton's numbers this season. Realistically, I think he'll be a top 5 fantasy QB until the day he retires.

4. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers

This is one guy to watch out for. Leading the league in QB rating, 2008 was the best season in his career. There's no reason to think Rivers isn't on the rise. For three years now, he hasn't missed a game.

5. Donovan McNabb - Philadelphia Eagles

McNabb is pretty solid, if not spectacular, when he's on the field. The problem lies with his injuries. Only four times in his 10-year career has he played all 16 games. The biggest worry though sits in the last five years as McNabb has only completed a full season once. If he does repeat last year's health, Donovan should be in for a big year. The offensive line was improved and a couple of new weapons were drafted in Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy.

6. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers

Rodgers is a quarterback with an uncalculated ceiling. He could be set up for a letdown year after he burst onto the scene in 2008, especially playing behind a suspect offensive line. However, with the emerging Greg Jennings, still reliable Donald Driver, and solid Ryan Grant; Rodgers has the weapons needed to bring the playoffs back to the Tundra.

7. Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons

A second year player surely carries a risk. Or does he? How can you factor in how big a role Tony Gonzalez will play in the Falcons offense. Just ask Trent Green and Tyler Thigpen, two guys who put up great numbers just because of the greatest tight end of all time, Gonzalez. What can Matt Ryan do with this amazing addition to Roddy White and Michael Turner? The sky is the limit.

8. Matt Schaub - Houston Texans

As long as he stays on the field, this should be Schaub's year to breakout. Armed with a strong arsenal constisting of Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton, Schaub has the weapons to lead this time into the playoffs. If you miss out on some of the studs, this is a good sleeper pick that could surprise.

9. Matt Hasselbeck - Seattle Seahawks

Hasselbeck threw more than 20 touchdown passes four out of five years before his injury last season. The only year he missed the mark in that stretch was in 2006 when he only played 12 games. There are worries that he could be on the down slope of his career, but I think the addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh is just what Matt and the Seahawks needed.

10. Tony Romo - Dallas Cowboys

This could be a surprise, but the only reason Romo was a top pick last year was because of his 2007 breakout 36 touchdown season. OK, he was decent last season, but losing Terrell Owens is not going to help his cause.

Just missed the Top 10:

• Kurt Warner - Missed games every year from 2002-2007. We think he'll find his way back onto the bench.
• Jay Cutler - Just isn't in a favorable quarterback situation in Chicago.
• Ben Roethlisberger - Solid QB, but we expect a Super Bowl dropoff.
• Carson Palmer - Could be top 10 or bottom 10. He needs to reprove himself.
  
• Trent Edwards - T.O. makes him a sleeper at this spot.
  

Fantasy Football Leagues With Two Quarterbacks

No one really knows enough in the preseason. It's also probably one of fantasy football's alluring factors, being that it's such a game of luck. That's how the World Series of Poker (WSOP) caught on. For any of you that have ever heard of Chris Moneymaker, you know what I'm talking about.

So you can't really win $millions in fantasy football, but it does usually involve a lot of luck with a pinch of skill. For that same reason, you'll hear different opinions all across the fantasy world. One guy likes Matt Ryan, here's another who thinks it's Jay Cutler's year. Oh wait, this girl over here thinks Cutler won't be a fantasy hit because of Chicago's play style. Oh, what's that? Matt Stafford's the next Matt Ryan who is actually the next Matt Damon. Wait, what?

Exactly. I'm still waiting on Rounders 2, Mr. Ryan.

There is a solution to this problem. Allow a bit of determination, research and skill decide the fantasy football championship. Have the league Start TWO Quarterbacks! This way, Matt Schaub is actually worthwhile to have on a team. Matt Hasselbeck? Sure, at least as a backup somewhere. This style of play is catching on, and it gives a home to guys like Matt Leinart. Well maybe not until Kurt Warner's holy arm wears out.

Starting two signal-callers balances out the roster so that 1 or 2 players don't carry a team week in and week out. Ideally the league would also add a slash position or extra player elsewhere to even out the impact that both quarterbacks will make. Having this sort of roster setup tones down the gambling part of the game. Those rookies aren't going to be able to come in, make a couple of lucky picks, and dance their way to the title. This is how veteran leagues should be set up.

Think of the possible draft strategies. With the instant leap of quarterback importance, do you go QB-QB first two rounds? How would you like to have Tom Brady and Drew Brees leading your team this year? While that guy is taking the QBs, another could pop off and grab the great RBs, while yet another is stuffing his team with four solid wide receivers. This method of play seriously takes the game to a new exciting level.

Just to warn any of you about-to-be commissioners looking for a way to spice up your league. I would advise you to put some restrictions on number of quarterbacks on roster. Allow teams to have quarterbacks from only 3 different teams, with a stipulation allowing more if there is an injury or multiple bye weeks. A 2 QB per roster rule would probably have to be instated with 12-team+ leagues. It takes some thinking, but hey, email me if you need help figuring it out. I've been on the rules committee for a 2-QB league for a few years now, involving 10 and 12 team leagues.

So, in summary, do you guys think I should change my kid's name to Matt and start building up his throwing arm?