Brady Falls Leads to a Sneaky Manning Success

Usually when you discuss top ranked quarterbacks during Fantasy Football gametime, the last name Manning is unanimous to the older of brothers.  Peyton has earned a spot as a top ranked QB after posting great consecutive years for his Colts.  However, it is finally time to consider Eli.

With the fall of Tom Brady for the entire 2008-2009 NFL season, it seems that the spot for top QB has a rather large vacancy.  The question of who will fill it can yield several answers, including both Manning brothers.  If you analyze each QB, many provide compelling arguments.  Lets take a look at the quarterbacks in ranked groups:

Group A: What is going on there?

Here's where we have our quarterbacks who really have either a) Not come into their own yet, or b) just won't cut it this year.  In this group we could consider Kansas City's QB core of either Damon Huard or Brodie Croyle, who despite having Larry Johnson really have nothing else anymore.  Moving west look at San Fransisco, who with the loss of Alex Smith now looks to J.T. O'Sullivan: a team with a great RB in Frank Gore, but not much else.  Finally, we can turn to Tampa Bay, and Jeff Garcia.  Granted, with a world of experience, Garcia ain't bad.  But with a shaky wide receiver core, and a defense quickly dropping in rank (usually a cornerstone of their organization), I do not think this team will do well enough, especially in newly competitive NFC south.  Other QB's here would include DeMarcuss Russel of Oakland, Joe Flacco of Baltimore, and Matt Schaub of Houston, all simply because of their team's poor offensive output in past years.

Group B: Rejuvination

This group should just be dedicated to Brett Favre it seems.  Here we look at QB's who've had a shaky few years, but could be coming back with a vengeance.  Here's my top 3 in this group.

1.  Donovan McNabb (PHI): The former second overall pick truly showed his stuff in season home opener week 1 against St. Louis.  By posting a 300+ yard, 3 TD game, Donovan let the tough NFC east know that the Eagles are a major concern this year.  Considering his WR's aren't NFL superstars, that's rather noteworthy.

2.  Jake Delhomme (CAR):  Before getting hurt last year, Delhomme threw 8 TD's and 1 INT, keeping pace with both Brady and Manning with those numbers.  However, once Jake fell, Jeff Fox's Carolina Panthers entered a quagmire of poor quarterbacks and whining receivers.  With Delhomme back, the Panthers can post big numbers, and with a dominant wideout in Steve Smith, they will be a team that can cause alot of discussion. 

3.  Brett Favre:  How could anyone discuss coming back to life, and not mention the Michael Jordan of football?  Brett, after ending his 07-08 season with an interception in overtime to the New York Giants in Lambeau, retired from football forever....or at least a month.  Favre caused controversy throughout the summer, wanting to comeback to his beloved Packers.  After deals involving $20 million to keep retired, Favre eventually settled with the New York Jets, a team which has struggled to find a reliable QB recently.  Even at the exuberant age of 38, Favre still has it for another year, barring the pesky Madden cover curse

In this group, also consider QB's like Trent Edwards of Buffalo, Tavaris Jackson in Minnesota, Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay, Kurt Warner/Matt Leinart in Arizona, Jason Campbell in Washington, and Matt Cassel now in New England.

Group C:  The Elites

The moment has come; who could become the big QB for the 2008-2009 season?  Can I have a drumroll please?

Number 5- Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers)-  You would think that the only good coming out of California would be the league's best runningback.  This year you would be wrong.  Rivers has been becoming increasingly consistent, posting good numbers over the past 2 seasons.  This year, he has a (hopefully) healthy Antonio Gates, coming off of toe surgery, and a young receiver core with Vincent Jackson.  Oh, and let's not forget he has that Tomlinson character.  With a weakened defense now with the loss of Shawne Merriman, the offense will need big numbers, which Rivers will supply.

Number 4- Jay Cutler (Denver Broncos)-  Granted, he won't be John Elway, but Jay Cutler can show he's got game.  After being successfully diagnosed and treated for Diabetes, Cutler's shaky season will now vanish, emerging a true QB.  With a strong team around him and a solid running game behind him, Jay can put his past horrors behind and push forward as a quality thrower.

Number 3- Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts)- Nowhere near enough credit can be given to Peyton Manning.  Charming personality, humorous and optimistic attitude, and lets not forget his Superbowl MVP award and his 8+ seasons of top QB numbers.  Every discussion about great quarterbacks of this era can safely include Peyton Manning, and even after pre-season knee surgery, he can still rank top 3.  With his strong receiver core, excellent Offensive line, and vast experience, Peyton is a dominant QB.

Number 2- Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys)- If you can make Terrel Owens cry about playing football, you must have some special talent.  In a little over a season, Romo has emerged as a quality quarterback, throwing over 4000 yards and 36 TDs, second only to league MVP Tom Brady.  Because nothing has changed in Dallas other than their spirit to do better, Romo has nowhere to go but up.  Look for Romo to put up the same stats as last year, and be considered as top dog in most fantasy leagues.

Number 1- Eli Manning (New York Giants)-  Last year, if anyone suggested Eli Manning as a top 5 Quarterback, they were immediately ostracized for any football social circle.  But after an unbelievable post season run and Superbowl MVP under his belt, it is time to consider the reigning Superbowl Champ as the alpha dog.  In his post season run, Manning threw 1 interception: a fluke ball that WR Steve Smith bobbled and batted towards New England.  With his new found confidence and no major losses on offense (short of Jeremy Shockey who was not in the playoff run), the 2004 first overall pick can truly flex his muscles.  The key: Plaxico Burress.  Last year, a nagging ankle injury hindered the 6'5" giant from playing 100%.  Now with that apparently gone, look for Manning to have a spectacular year, especially with a competing Tony Romo in his division.