Fantasy Football Week Day 2: Quarterbacks

The running back may be the backbone, but the quarterback is the single most important position on the football field. Period. The quarterback is the on-field leader. He must know where every player is and what they are doing on every down. He must have the respect of every player on that team and be able to look them in the eye and say, "Hop on my back. I'll lead you to the promise land".

Not only must a quarterback be the emotional leader, but he must have the tools to back it up. He must take risks (Brett Favre), be a playmaker (Donavan McNabb), enthusiasm (Philip Rivers), the will to win (Tom Brady). All of this is crucial on the gridiron. But does it all translate on the fantasy field? Certainly.

If you're down 30 points going into the Monday night game, would you rather have Peyton Manning or Sage Rosenfels? A great quarterback can turn your team from a pretender into a contender.

But in 2009 the quarterback field is loaded; chock-full of champs, chumps, gunslingers, game managers, boomers and busts. It all depends on how you want to build your team. If you landed big with a couple stud running backs and quality receivers, why not play it safe and go with Donovan McNabb in the 5th or 6th rounds? A mid-round QB selection tells your league you know what you're doing. Going with a dependable brand name at quarterback can explode for the big game every now-and-then, but--more importantly--won't kill you come the stretch run. (See Kurt Warner-ARI, Matt Schaub-HOU, Ben Roethlisberger-PIT, McNabb-PHI).

• The Improper Truth- McNabb was a top ten fantasy quarterback last year despite a sub-par receiving core and being benched Week 12 against the Ravens. WRs Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, & rookie Jeremy Macklin are the weapons McNabb's been missing. Don't let the Michael Vick signing scare you, it's still McNabb's team.

You know, Tom Brady isn't the only QB looking to make 2009 a comeback year. And if you don't want to use one of your first two picks on a QB there are a few going for a bounce back year. This, much like a dependable brand name QB, can give you a great bang for your buck. Pluck Carson Palmer out of rounds 7-9 and you may just be the darling of your league. These guys have proven they can hang with big boys, but due to injuries have been tossed aside like your Razor scooter. Buyer Beware: Yes these comeback players do have a lot of upside, but the chances of failure are higher. Be sure to draft these players in the later rounds. (See Palmer-CIN, Matt Hasselbeck-SEA, Mark Bulger-STL).

• The Improper Truth- In 2007 Hasselbeck threw for over 3,900 yards and 28 TDs before playing seven games in '08. In 2009 he has a healthy tandem of receivers in Deion Branch and Nate Burleson. Oh, and let's not forget FA signee T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Expect a bounce-back year for the BC kid.

Who doesn't love a breakout quarterback? A young, energetic guy jump-starting your team to greatness (Tom Brady circa 2001, Matt Ryan circa 2008). Draft these guys for your bench watch your plants blossom into great trade bait or fill-in. Buffalo QB Trent Edwards has all the fixings of a breakout year. A strong arm to compliment a great receiving core (Terrell Owens & Lee Evans) and a superior ground game to bail him of trouble. (See Shaun Hill-SF, Joe Flacco-BAL, Jason Campbell-WAS).

• The Improper Truth- Hill showed some flashes of brilliance towards the end of last year sporting a surprising 94.7 QB rating, throwing for 1,656 yards, and accounting for 12 scores in the 49ers final seven games. WRs Josh Morgan and Michael Crabtree should help.

While everyone may love a good sleeper QB, nothing hurts a team more than a big-time bust. It always happens, especially with quarterbacks. The glitz of these high-priced quarterbacks can be blinding. But usually, these players are a wasted pick and will ruin your chances of going to playoffs. Sue, Jay Cutler was great with All-Pro Brandon Marshall and the thin Mile High air in Denver, but he has no one to throw to in Chicago. Who will be catching Romo's balls in Dallas (and the answer isn't Jessica Simpson)? Don't be tricked into these trap picks. (See Cutler-CHI, Romo-DAL, Eli Manning-NYG, Jake Delhomme-CAR, Matt Cassel-KC).

• The Improper Truth- Eli Manning signed a typical New York-sized contract in the off-season and faces his most disappointing season, in my eyes. With no clear cut no. 1 receiver and a plethora of receiving projects, expect Manning's INTs & sack totals to rise.
  

So you got running backs, and now quarterbacks. You're two-fifths of your way to building a championship-caliber fantasy team. Here are my top ten quarterbacks for the 2009 season. Be sure to check in tomorrow for day 3 of Fantasy Football Week: Wide Receivers. Enjoy!

1. Peyton Manning, IND
2. Drew Brees, NO
3. Tom Brady, NE
4. Aaron Rodgers, GB
5. Kurt Warner, ARI
6. Philip Rivers, SD
7. Donovan McNabb, PHI
8. Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
9. Trent Edwards, BUF
10. Carson Palmer, CIN