Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
QB has got to be the one position where even when you have a stud you almost always have 1 or 2 other QBs and have to look over the match ups. A lot of teams have both Romo and Big Ben, or Kitna and Leinart, or even Hasselbeck plus Delhomme. So let’s try and sort this out and see who really has a good match up this weekend.
Must starts: I only list a couple of QBs in this category…mostly because of their stats and situations. I know Brees was awful last night but he would have been in this group so I am leaving him there.
P.Manning: Don’t have to think about this one really.
D.Brees: Awful last night, might be quickly moving out of the must start list.
M.Bulger: Still has Bruce, Bennett, McMichael, and SJax to throw it against…and Holt isn’t in as bad a shape as we were once lead to believe.
D.McNabb: Look at his stats over the last 18-19 games…they are on pace with Peyton Manning. Even if he is only healthy half the season, owners will roll up huge points form this guy.
Likely starts: I have a lot more to talk about with these QBs…some of them are going to be laughed at as to why they are not must starts but I have my reasons.
T.Brady: The thing about Brady and especially this week is he really hasn’y developed the timing with Moss, Stallworth, and to a lesser degree Wes Welker. I just have a funny feeling the Pats are going to run it down the Jets throat. I think Brady will be fine over the length of the season but he could easily post a 200 yd 1 TD performance on Sunday and leave owners wishing they had played something else that rotted on their bench.
T.Romo: I like him a lot this week and he should perform at a high level, however the Cowboys can run the football better IMO. And what I mean is they now have the ability to go out and probably produce 150-200 yds on the ground from the combo of JJ and MB III. And if Dallas gets a lead which I expect them to win this game easily, they might turn to running the ball a lot more in the 2nd half and keep Eli, Plax, and Shockey on the sidelines.
Big Ben: If everything we have read is true, then he should come out and light up the Browns for 300 yds this week. Why do I have some doubts about all of this? Most teams that have Big Ben, have him plus another topline QB of sorts so there is a decision to make here. I might want to let him sit for week 1 and watch the game closely to get a better feel for exactly what the Steelers will be doing post Cowher. If Ben looks great, you have 12-13 more weeks to plug him in all the time.
M.Leinart: People are ready to start playing him every week now and I would like to see what the offense looks like 1st. I know SF was pretty awful last year but Nate Clements will take away half the field, that can only help. They should have a bigger pash rush to help take some of the burden off the DBs as well. I might not be wheeling Matt out there in week 1.
M.Hasselbeck: A lot of sites are high on Matt this week. I admit the Bucs having to go cross country, could be rough for their defense to fight the good fight…however they are actually pretty good against the pass IMO. Rhonde Barber did not retire with Tiki and Cato June is an excellent coverage LB so this might not be a 250 yd 2 TD performance as many are seeming to indicate. We all know it’s pretty much a guessing game but I wouldn’t be that comfortable with Hass going against Kiffin’s defense…that guy is a mastermind on defense and will have something up his sleeve for Hass.
Brett Favre: Has really seen his TD slide the past couple of years. Driver has been banged up, running game is iffy…not sure he is a great start against Philly in week 1. He will throw a bunch though even in defeat so 250-300 yds is not out of the question..just worried about interceptions when he throws too much…sort of negates a 300 yd performance.
P.Rivers: You cannot be liking this match up against the Bears can you? Bears will be at full strength and have a couple of great CB including Tillman who just got a 6 year extension…I don’t like the Chargers to win this game so take it for what its worth. Rivers to me has a really tough match up and no experienced WR to throw to in week 1.
Carson Palmer: I am 90% sure that Palmer is a must start this week. However he does face stiff competition in Baltimore.
Middle of the Road: These are QBs that likely were selected as your QB2…but you are going to find that many of them offer nice match ups this week and a few you simply do not want to touch.
J.P.Losman: Denver is supposed to be better along the DL, but now they have Dre Bly opposite Champ Bailey. I think Losman will have a lot of trouble in this game and likely toss a couple of interceptions which will likely only further weaken his production this week. To me this is an easy pass situation.
J.Cutler: I know Buffalo offers some hope for Cutler owners this week. But remember that Cutler is going into his 2nd season and Denver is likely making a play for the division this year and the playoffs. I don’t think Shanny is going to ask Cutler to wing it 35 times on the road this week when his OL should be able to blow open holes in the Buffalo defense for Travis Henry to run through. I am reserved about Culter’s chances this weekend.
M.Schaub: I like this match up and think he will get the attention of owners quickly this week. I feel strongly he can post 200-250 yds and 1-2 scores this week. K.C has looked awful in the preseason and Schaub is a very nice sneaky play. Andre Johnson, Ahman Green, Owen Daniels, and Jacoby Jones will provide some nice weapons for him to throw to.
E.Manning: I think at the least he might get some garbage time points for his owners. I do think the Giants will struggle in this game but you couldn’t fault dynasty owners that have Eli as their #1 for starting him.
A.Smith: Has a good match up this week. Will be working for the 1st time with DJax, V.Davis(as the starter), A.Lelie and Battle who he is familiar with plus Frank Gore. This should be a fairly high scoring affair and I think Smith should post somewhere in the 220-240 range and has a good chance at 1-2 TD this weekend maybe even more if a shootout breaks out.
J.Delhomme: He better make it happen against the Rams. I have read a lot of place that are down on Jake this week but I think the Panthers will surprise some folks on Sunday. The Rams are not that strong against the pass so why shouldn’t jake and crew go out and do well in the EJ Dome?
J.Kitna: Oakland didn’t give up a lot of yds last year but they also couldn’t stop the run…and Detroit is not that great at running the ball so look for them to take to the air. Kitna may not have an world day but I like him to cross the 200-250 yd mark in this game. Oakland is not going to pitch a shutout with all the problems they have on offense right now.
C.Pennington: Look elsewhere…seriously. New England is going to roll out one of the best defenses in the NFL on Sunday.
V.Young: Against Jax this is not a prime match up to me. I understand he was drafted high but you cannot like this as a week 1 assignment for him. No weapons to throw to either…and no running game to support him…this could get ugly.
And the rest: These QBs were likely taken as late QB2 or possible QB3 in your league. Let’s have a look as there is some gold down in here.
Rex Grossman: I am going to go on record now as saying Grossman has top10 potential in FF. Look at his situation! He has a stout defense to cover up his mistakes, a solid OL to pass protect, and a running game that is pretty iffy so Rex might be called upon to win some of these games. San Diego has a very suspect defense and while I own Grossman, and will likely be sitting him this week…I am seriously thinking about wheeling him out against those Bolts. When Grossman does well in his games, he usually does VERY WELL…he started only 8 games b4 last season. 260/1, 290/4, 230/2, 180/2, 250/3, 240/3, 200/2, 340/2…I know he has some awful games to but he showed me a lot of promise. He has a safety valve in Muhammed and Clark this week, Berrian and Mark Bradley for the deep stuff, and his RB out of the backfield…I think he can do just fine and surprise owners this weekend. He is my “Why did I leave him on my bench” play of the week.
Steve McNair: Great match up but it is McNair…I don’t see him doing anything more than any other QB could do here. He had 245/0 in one contest last year and 227/1 in the other against the Bengals…he will not crack the top10 this week IMO even with a solid match up.
McCown/CPepp: I think both will be used in the game. If McCown starts I don’t think he will finish. Huge risk to start either this weekend.
J.Harrington: I don’t think Atlanta can run on the Vikes, and I don’t think Joey is going to make them pay thru the air either. Gonna be a long season for Falcons fans…sorry.
T.Green: Miami looks terrible on offense right now. I would not be starting many of them as they will be on the road and I expect them to get beat rather easily up in Washington this weekend.
Jason Campbell: Interesting match up as Miami has been touted as having a suspect secondary. It will not surprise me if he connects with Santana Moss on a few plays and puts up respectable numbers. 200 yds and 1-2 TD as Miami will try and shut down the run.
J.Garcia: I think it’s asking a lot for him to storm Seattle and post great numbers. He will have his weeks but I am not looking for more than about 200 yds from him on Sunday.
And finally…these are the bottom of the barrel. Some may have decent match ups but the QBs will not be able to exploit the situations IMO.
D.Garrard: I get the shakes thinking about having to start him
D.Huard: Healthy dose of LJ and limited passing from him.
T.Jackson: I’ll let you fill this in.
C.Frye: I expect to see Brady within a month.
Must starts: I only list a couple of QBs in this category…mostly because of their stats and situations. I know Brees was awful last night but he would have been in this group so I am leaving him there.
P.Manning: Don’t have to think about this one really.
D.Brees: Awful last night, might be quickly moving out of the must start list.
M.Bulger: Still has Bruce, Bennett, McMichael, and SJax to throw it against…and Holt isn’t in as bad a shape as we were once lead to believe.
D.McNabb: Look at his stats over the last 18-19 games…they are on pace with Peyton Manning. Even if he is only healthy half the season, owners will roll up huge points form this guy.
Likely starts: I have a lot more to talk about with these QBs…some of them are going to be laughed at as to why they are not must starts but I have my reasons.
T.Brady: The thing about Brady and especially this week is he really hasn’y developed the timing with Moss, Stallworth, and to a lesser degree Wes Welker. I just have a funny feeling the Pats are going to run it down the Jets throat. I think Brady will be fine over the length of the season but he could easily post a 200 yd 1 TD performance on Sunday and leave owners wishing they had played something else that rotted on their bench.
T.Romo: I like him a lot this week and he should perform at a high level, however the Cowboys can run the football better IMO. And what I mean is they now have the ability to go out and probably produce 150-200 yds on the ground from the combo of JJ and MB III. And if Dallas gets a lead which I expect them to win this game easily, they might turn to running the ball a lot more in the 2nd half and keep Eli, Plax, and Shockey on the sidelines.
Big Ben: If everything we have read is true, then he should come out and light up the Browns for 300 yds this week. Why do I have some doubts about all of this? Most teams that have Big Ben, have him plus another topline QB of sorts so there is a decision to make here. I might want to let him sit for week 1 and watch the game closely to get a better feel for exactly what the Steelers will be doing post Cowher. If Ben looks great, you have 12-13 more weeks to plug him in all the time.
M.Leinart: People are ready to start playing him every week now and I would like to see what the offense looks like 1st. I know SF was pretty awful last year but Nate Clements will take away half the field, that can only help. They should have a bigger pash rush to help take some of the burden off the DBs as well. I might not be wheeling Matt out there in week 1.
M.Hasselbeck: A lot of sites are high on Matt this week. I admit the Bucs having to go cross country, could be rough for their defense to fight the good fight…however they are actually pretty good against the pass IMO. Rhonde Barber did not retire with Tiki and Cato June is an excellent coverage LB so this might not be a 250 yd 2 TD performance as many are seeming to indicate. We all know it’s pretty much a guessing game but I wouldn’t be that comfortable with Hass going against Kiffin’s defense…that guy is a mastermind on defense and will have something up his sleeve for Hass.
Brett Favre: Has really seen his TD slide the past couple of years. Driver has been banged up, running game is iffy…not sure he is a great start against Philly in week 1. He will throw a bunch though even in defeat so 250-300 yds is not out of the question..just worried about interceptions when he throws too much…sort of negates a 300 yd performance.
P.Rivers: You cannot be liking this match up against the Bears can you? Bears will be at full strength and have a couple of great CB including Tillman who just got a 6 year extension…I don’t like the Chargers to win this game so take it for what its worth. Rivers to me has a really tough match up and no experienced WR to throw to in week 1.
Carson Palmer: I am 90% sure that Palmer is a must start this week. However he does face stiff competition in Baltimore.
Middle of the Road: These are QBs that likely were selected as your QB2…but you are going to find that many of them offer nice match ups this week and a few you simply do not want to touch.
J.P.Losman: Denver is supposed to be better along the DL, but now they have Dre Bly opposite Champ Bailey. I think Losman will have a lot of trouble in this game and likely toss a couple of interceptions which will likely only further weaken his production this week. To me this is an easy pass situation.
J.Cutler: I know Buffalo offers some hope for Cutler owners this week. But remember that Cutler is going into his 2nd season and Denver is likely making a play for the division this year and the playoffs. I don’t think Shanny is going to ask Cutler to wing it 35 times on the road this week when his OL should be able to blow open holes in the Buffalo defense for Travis Henry to run through. I am reserved about Culter’s chances this weekend.
M.Schaub: I like this match up and think he will get the attention of owners quickly this week. I feel strongly he can post 200-250 yds and 1-2 scores this week. K.C has looked awful in the preseason and Schaub is a very nice sneaky play. Andre Johnson, Ahman Green, Owen Daniels, and Jacoby Jones will provide some nice weapons for him to throw to.
E.Manning: I think at the least he might get some garbage time points for his owners. I do think the Giants will struggle in this game but you couldn’t fault dynasty owners that have Eli as their #1 for starting him.
A.Smith: Has a good match up this week. Will be working for the 1st time with DJax, V.Davis(as the starter), A.Lelie and Battle who he is familiar with plus Frank Gore. This should be a fairly high scoring affair and I think Smith should post somewhere in the 220-240 range and has a good chance at 1-2 TD this weekend maybe even more if a shootout breaks out.
J.Delhomme: He better make it happen against the Rams. I have read a lot of place that are down on Jake this week but I think the Panthers will surprise some folks on Sunday. The Rams are not that strong against the pass so why shouldn’t jake and crew go out and do well in the EJ Dome?
J.Kitna: Oakland didn’t give up a lot of yds last year but they also couldn’t stop the run…and Detroit is not that great at running the ball so look for them to take to the air. Kitna may not have an world day but I like him to cross the 200-250 yd mark in this game. Oakland is not going to pitch a shutout with all the problems they have on offense right now.
C.Pennington: Look elsewhere…seriously. New England is going to roll out one of the best defenses in the NFL on Sunday.
V.Young: Against Jax this is not a prime match up to me. I understand he was drafted high but you cannot like this as a week 1 assignment for him. No weapons to throw to either…and no running game to support him…this could get ugly.
And the rest: These QBs were likely taken as late QB2 or possible QB3 in your league. Let’s have a look as there is some gold down in here.
Rex Grossman: I am going to go on record now as saying Grossman has top10 potential in FF. Look at his situation! He has a stout defense to cover up his mistakes, a solid OL to pass protect, and a running game that is pretty iffy so Rex might be called upon to win some of these games. San Diego has a very suspect defense and while I own Grossman, and will likely be sitting him this week…I am seriously thinking about wheeling him out against those Bolts. When Grossman does well in his games, he usually does VERY WELL…he started only 8 games b4 last season. 260/1, 290/4, 230/2, 180/2, 250/3, 240/3, 200/2, 340/2…I know he has some awful games to but he showed me a lot of promise. He has a safety valve in Muhammed and Clark this week, Berrian and Mark Bradley for the deep stuff, and his RB out of the backfield…I think he can do just fine and surprise owners this weekend. He is my “Why did I leave him on my bench” play of the week.
Steve McNair: Great match up but it is McNair…I don’t see him doing anything more than any other QB could do here. He had 245/0 in one contest last year and 227/1 in the other against the Bengals…he will not crack the top10 this week IMO even with a solid match up.
McCown/CPepp: I think both will be used in the game. If McCown starts I don’t think he will finish. Huge risk to start either this weekend.
J.Harrington: I don’t think Atlanta can run on the Vikes, and I don’t think Joey is going to make them pay thru the air either. Gonna be a long season for Falcons fans…sorry.
T.Green: Miami looks terrible on offense right now. I would not be starting many of them as they will be on the road and I expect them to get beat rather easily up in Washington this weekend.
Jason Campbell: Interesting match up as Miami has been touted as having a suspect secondary. It will not surprise me if he connects with Santana Moss on a few plays and puts up respectable numbers. 200 yds and 1-2 TD as Miami will try and shut down the run.
J.Garcia: I think it’s asking a lot for him to storm Seattle and post great numbers. He will have his weeks but I am not looking for more than about 200 yds from him on Sunday.
And finally…these are the bottom of the barrel. Some may have decent match ups but the QBs will not be able to exploit the situations IMO.
D.Garrard: I get the shakes thinking about having to start him
D.Huard: Healthy dose of LJ and limited passing from him.
T.Jackson: I’ll let you fill this in.
C.Frye: I expect to see Brady within a month.
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I understand all the reasonings for wanting to believe this, new HC, spread offense minded OC, etc. But it does seem like I hear this every year with the Steelers, so I'm in the see it before I believe camp too.
