NFL Quarterback Power Rankings

No position in the NFL is more highly scrutinized, debated, and discussed than the quarterback. It’s impossible to build a consistent winner without one (and people who follow the Cleveland Browns would tell you that it’s impossible to find one period).

After this weekend’s Packers loss to the Bucs, Aaron Rodgers was a popular topic of conversation on Twitter. I made the comment that he has not shown me that he has the “it” that people always talk about when it comes to QBs. Some agreed and some disagreed, but it got me thinking about where Rodgers falls in relation to today’s crop of QBs.

Thus, I set out to rank the quarterbacks currently holding starting NFL gigs, taking into account their current age and skill level, future potential, past accomplishments, and the general confidence level I would have if that player was the QB of my team.

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Sunday Night Football: Dallas at Philadelphia Preview and Prediction

Who isn’t excited for the showdown on Sunday night?

The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are two franchises that despise one another, which always makes for quality television, as well as a good game too. Yet, let’s not forget the last time these two teams met in December of 2008, which was a complete blowout and hardly a game Cowboys fans want to remember.

Losing to their most hated rival 44-6 on the final weekend of the season clearly was not a happy ending or cherry on top of a topsy-turvy 2008 season. For the Cowboys that game has been erased from their minds and currently the squad focused on the 3-game winning streak that has them at the top of the NFC East standings.

Ever since Tony Romo as been at the helm, the Cowboys are 11-1 in November, which includes a win against the Eagles in Philadelphia in 2007. This game means more for to the ‘Boys than the Eagles, especially with all the hype that surrounded this team last season and the scrutiny they continue to receive on a weekly basis.

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Desean Jackson, Brian Westbrook Injury Update and Week 3 Status

From a fantasy perspective, no team is more mind-achingly frustrating intriguing than the Philadelphia Eagles heading into Week 3. Not only do the Eagles have what looks to be a pretty sweet matchup against the hapless Kansas City Chiefs, but Philadelphia’s most recent injury report would make for half of a pretty good fantasy starting lineup:

QB: Donovan McNabb – doubtful with rib injury

RB: Brian Westbrook – questionable with ankle injury

WR: Desean Jackson – questionable with groin injury

WR: Kevin Curtis – doubtful with knee injury

Most McNabb owners are probably not counting on him playing this weekend. Certainly they should not be. McNabb is reportedly progressing well, but there is no reason for the Eagles to play him this week and risk further injury when they have a bye week coming up next week.

As for Desean Jackson, he participated fully in Friday’s practice and should be good to go on Sunday. With Kevin Curtis likely out, and rookie Jeremy Maclin lining up opposite Jackson, I expect Desean and Brent Celek to get most of the targets from probable starting QB Kevin Kolb. The reports were pretty solid about Jackson, so he should be ready to contribute normally.

With all that said, the most compelling and influential injury issue in Philadelphia for Week 3 is Brian Westbrook.

Update 9/27: ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio just reported that Brian Westbrook is OUT for Sunday’s game.  Play LeSean McCoy.

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I’ll Tell You This: Drew Brees and Tom Brady Display Greatness During NFL Kickoff Weekend

[Editor's note: Each week, Big MB's regales us with his post entitled I'll Tell You This, in which he tells us...whatever it is he wants to tell us. Enjoy...and stay tuned for an upcoming appearance by Big MB on the soon-to-be resumed MSF podcast. Big MB and I will be debating this week's Monday night game between the Colts and my first NFL love, the Dolphins.]

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It’s what we have all been waiting for: NFL Kickoff 2009.

After going through football withdrawls, the draft, and preseason, our moment of Glory finally came. And it was good…real good.

In honor of Week 1 I have decided to make this week’s I’ll Tell You This an “NFL Kickoff Special”.

Enjoy.

1. The Boston TD Party

In the first of two Monday Night Football games, Tom Brady stepped onto the field for a regular season game for basically the first time in two years (not counting his less-than-a-quarter stint a year ago before getting hurt) against the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills came out motivated and the Patriot came out flat. With time dwindling down in the final minutes of the 4^th quarter, Brady threw a line drive touchdown to tight end Ben Watson to bring the Bills lead to just 5 with 2:06 to go in the game. Instead of an onside kick, the Patriots chose to kick off deep.

Instead of taking a knee, Leodis McKelvin of the Bills decided to bring the ball out. After breaking a tackle or two, he got hammered and dumped the ball on the ground. The Patriots recovered near the 30 yard line of the Bills, and just a few short plays later Brady hit Watson again, on what seemed to be the exact same play, for another touchdown.

With only 50 seconds remaining, the Bills could not answer, and the Patriots would move to 1-0 on a miracle, or perhaps a follie.

I’ll Tell You This: As you may know about me, I am a die-hard Colts fan, and it pains me to talk about anything that has to do with the success of the New England Patriots.

But as for the Bills’ return man, I have a simple message: you are an idiot.

If you take a knee, your offense will run at least 30 seconds off of the clock, New England will use all of their time outs, and the entire AFC will take a collective breath as they realize that the mighty Patriots are 0-1.

But no.

You had to try to be the hero. Enjoy the practice squad.

The only consolation I can take is that MAYBE, just maybe, the Patriots aren’t the juggernaut that everyone seems to think they will be again.

2. The AFC South

Obviously, I can’t give the Patriots face time without spending a little time on my Colts and their division.

Houston, who has been deemed by many to possibly win the AFC South, came out flat and never caught fire. In their 24-7 loss to the Jets, Steve Slaton was not effective, Matt Schaub was disappointing, and the Jets ran for 150 yards on 49 attempts while protecting their rookie starter, Mark Sanchez.

Tennessee faced off against the defending Super Bowl champs, the Steelers. After an overtime slugfest, Tennessee dropped their battle on an OT field goal by Pittsburgh as the Steelers were victorious 13-10.

In the only divisional match-up, Jacksonville played the Colts.

Manning and Co. would have a rough start with a redzone interception, followed by a mid-field fumble by Joseph Addai.

After failing to convert a 4th and 1 at midfield in the closing minutes of the game, holding a 14-12 lead, the Colts’ defense would take a stand and force Jacksonville into a turnover on downs to hold onto the victory, leaving the Colts as the only team to be 1-0 in possibly the toughest division in football.

I’ll Tell You This: I’m sorry, did I just report that the Colts’ defense won the game? I think I did. And, the Colts now hold their own destiny for the rest of the season in the AFC South.

The AFC, and perhaps the entire NFL, must be asking themselves this: If Manning and his offense can get on track, and they presumably will, how dominant can this team be with a stronger defense, which get even better when vaunted safety Bob Sanders returns?

3. What a “Brees”

Drew Brees torched the Detroit Lions on Sunday completing 26 of 34 passes for 358 yards and 6, yes count them six, touchdowns in the Saints’ 45-27 romp of the cellar dweller Lions.

I’ll Tell You This: Everyone in the league has done nothing but talk about Peyton Manning and Tom Brady for the past 5 or 6 years. Recently talk has swung to Eli Manning, Big Ben, and Aaron Rodgers, who, among others, have been anointed the next line of MVPs of the NFL.

But Drew Brees is the real deal and deserves to be mentioned with the former group, not the latter.

He may even be…possibly…the best quarterback in the NFL right now.

Only time will tell, but I would even hazard to guess that Tom Brady’s 50 TD record is in serious jeopardy. Get over it NFL, I know he is not the most marketable player in the league, but Drew Brees could very well be your best.

4. The Replacements

With Week 1 in the books, several injuries have taken center stage. The most prominent injury is that of Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher. After dislocating his wrist, Urlacher is now done for the season. The Bears immediately looked at signing former Buc Derrick Brooks, but decided on Tim Shaw instead.

The other injury that has swept headlines is the broken ribs of Donovan McNabb. After what seemed to be a late hit in the end zone, McNabb left the game to find out the he had cracked ribs. The Eagles have activated Michael Vick, but since he is unavailable until week three, they have pursued and signed QB Jeff Garcia, and have released WR Hank Baskett to make room on their roster.

I’ll Tell You This: In Chicago, the loss of Urlacher is devastating. Brooks could be a nice player, but he is older and will not run this defense the way the Urlacher did. Who is Tim Shaw again?

In Philly, the stage has now been set for a three-way QB controversy that may very well find itself headlining on Jerry Springer. It’s my guess that things will never be the same in Philly, and I don’t see this situation working itself out.

5. The Great White Hype

In my final story of the week, I am going to do something a little different. I’m going to rant. No story, just a rant. So……

I’ll Tell You This:

I am sick and tired of hearing how awesome two players are. One is in the NFL; the other is a NCAA football player.

First, let me address the player who has already been involved in Heisman talk, True Freshman QB from USC, Matt Barkley.

I watched the Ohio State game. It was a phenomenal game, and USC truly outplayed Ohio State in the 4th quarter to get the W. However, following the end of the game the announcer, as it seems all of Sports Media have been doing, began to talk about Barkley and what a great game he had, and how he was truly a candidate in the Heisman Race.

For the love of God, he completed less than 50% of his passes (15 for 31) for 195 yards and one interception. No Touchdowns. Wow. If this is what it takes to be a Heisman candidate then I hereby nominate myself, and I think that I could possibly contend with those numbers.

My other complaint is focused on Green Bay Packers QB, Aaron Rogers.

His stats from Sunday’s bout with Chicago? He completed 17-28 passes for 184 yards and 1 touchdown. Not that this is a bad performance, but it is FAR from what I would consider an MVP performance, especially given the performance by Drew Brees this week. With the hype surrounding Rodgers this season, I expected more. 

All in all, it was a phenomenal Kick Off, with a lot of exciting games and finishes, and perhaps even a few surprises. Feel free to comment and tell me what your favorite moment of NFL Kick Off weekend was. I’d love to hear it.

Until next week kids…

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You can follow Myles on twitter at www.twitter.com/mylesb3269

* – Tom Brady photo credit: More Than an Electrician

* – Drew Brees photo credit: The Campus Socialite

Donovan McNabb Injury Update: Leaves Game with Broken Rib, Status Uncertain

Donovan McNabb left today’s Eagles-Panthers game with an apparent rib injury. He walked off the field under his own power and went to the locker room. No further updates available yet on his status.

Kevin Kolb is mopping up the massacre as Jake Delhomme has thrown 4 picks.

And now for some updates, as of 5:00 CT on Sunday night.

The initial prognosis and injury update on McNabb, courtesy of Pro Football Talk (via ESPN’s Chris Mortensen) is that Donovan McNabb has a broken rib. As of right now, no specific timetable is known regarding how long McNabb might be out.

A more recent post by Pro Football Talk highlights the likelihood that McNabb’s availability will hinge on his ability to withstand the pain the broken rib will provide. Additionally, the team and McNabb will have to wait until tomorrow when further tests reveal the extent of the injury and how much risk of future injury McNabb might be running by playing.

Follow the links to StubHub for great deals on Philadelphia Eagles tickets and all NFL tickets.

And, of course, there is this reality: Michael Vick is eligible to play on one more week, beginning in Week 3. It has been pretty obvious this preseason, based on the subtext of some of McNabb’s public comments, that he feels somewhat threatened by the presence of Vick. I’ll echo what the PFT guys say: Kevin Kolb may start next week, but if McNabb can walk, he’ll be on the field come Week 3.

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* – Donovan McNabb photo credit: NFL Freaks

I’ll Tell You This: Dodgers Looking Strong, Pacman and RichRod Not So Much

[Editor's Note: This is the first of a new weekly series by Big MB called I'll Tell You This. MB loves to tell people things, and especially loves using that phrase when doing so, so this is a match made in sports blogging heaven. Have at it MB.]

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We are just over one week away from NFL kickoff 2009, less that a week from College Football, and coming down the stretch in Major League Baseball. Here are my top 5 stories for this week.

1 – LA Dodgers Make Deals to Solidify Playoff Roster

As the waiver deadline approaches the most active team seems to be the L.A. Dodgers, picking up White Sox slugger Jim Thome and Diamondbacks’ hurler Jon Garland. As of today the Dodgers hold a 5.5 game lead on Colorado, who also made a move trading for White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras.

I’ll tell you this: the Dodgers are putting together a team that will compete with the Yankees in the World Series. There is no doubt in my mind that the Dodgers are the team to beat in the National League, save for maybe (and this is painful for a Cub’s fan to admit) the Cardinals.

2 – A Tale of Two Cities: Minnesota and Philadelphia

Brett Favre and Michael Vick have made their comebacks and the inevitable debates have followed.

In Minnesota, talk of team mutiny was rumored, some sources saying that the locker room was split. These rumors were put to bed quickly, but Viking Nation may see it differently. One Vikings fan was found to have a live goat in her trunk painted purple and gold.

Vick has also been met with equivalent praise and disapproval, with Donovan McNabb going on record saying that Vick’s presence and the style of play-calling involving Vick was “a gimmick” and a distraction from their game plan.

I’ll tell you this: Like it or not, the Vikings became a contender when they signed Favre. However, Vick brings quite the distraction both on and off of the field. It will be interesting to see, but if McNabb is already skeptical about Vick’s role, then that can’t be a good sign for the Eagles.

3 – Trouble in Ann Arbor

In what has been a tumultuous summer of violations in College Football, one last situation has raised its ugly head right before the season’s start.

This week some former and current players accused Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and his staff of exceeding the NCAA’s practice guidelines and complained that the staff was over-working student athletes beyond the maximum weekly and daily hours limitations. Rodriguez responded with an emotional press conference, completely denying the allegations by saying that they were “miscommunications” and “just not true.”

I’ll Tell You This: The Wolverines went 3-9 last year in Rodriguez’s first year at the helm. While it would not surprise me that these players were over-worked, I think the bigger issue is that, to save his job, Rodriguez has to find a way to bring Michigan back to being one of the premier teams in the NCAA.

4 – Injuries in the NFL Preseason

With the NFL preseason coming to an end, injuries have already begun to raise their ugly heads at big-time positions for teams.

Patriots QB Tom Brady injured his shoulder when Redskins $100 million dollar man Albert Haynesworth crushed him in the second quarter of their game last week. The master of masking issues, Bill Belichick, down-played the injury saying that Brady would be ready for the regular season.

Brett Favre has said that he has a cracked rib, but played in the Vikings’ preseason game against Houston without any protection. Could it be that Favre is preparing an excuse for what might become a disappointing season?

Finally, all of Kansas City stopped breathing for about 24 hours when off-season acquisition QB Matt Cassel went down hard with a knee injury. At first the prognosis was 4-6 weeks, seemingly a finishing blow to KC before the season even started; however, now reports are saying that the MCL strain that Cassel suffered was minor and he would return to the lineup possibly sooner rather that later, maybe even for the season opener.

I’ll Tell You This: Nothing can kill a team’s season faster than an unexpected and unnecessary preseason injury. Hopefully all of the above stay healthy so we can watch as many teams battle it out for the playoffs at full strength as possible. A healthy NFL is a more fan-friendly NFL.

5 – The Return of Pacman

Adam “Pacman” Jones has returned to football. But this time it’s not in the NFL. It’s not even with the upstart AFL, which launches next month. 

No, Pacman Jones is headed to the Canadian Football League. He has signed “in principal” a one year deal with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

I’ll tell you this: Who cares?

Apparently no-one in the NFL is ok with giving Jones yet another chance to prove that he can’t control his personal life, and honestly, I can’t blame them. Jones is just one of those players with all the talent in the world but no self-control. And playing professional sports is a luxury. He can’t control his life, he is a thug, and he is not a role model like we want our athletes of today to be.

Good riddance Pacman. Canada, you can have him.

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You can follow BigMB on twitter by going to www.twitter.com/mylesb3269

* – Jose Contreras and Jim Thome photo credit: by Charles Rex Arbogast – AP via South Side Sox

Michael Vick’s Debut in Philadelphia Could be an Ominous Sign of Future Controversy

[Editor's Note: I am happy to announce Rich Brown as the newest writer for Midwest Sports Fans. Rich currently runs the website http://www.nflandcollegefootball.com/ and will be covering the NFL and college football for us here. His first effort is a good timely one, as you will read below.]

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What Michael Vick brings to the table for the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles is excitement, big plays, and lots of flash.  As football fans, we crave this like a bad drug habit.  This excitement and big play potential is why we watch the game, similar to how many NASCAR fans watch races for the crashes.  

Michael Vick will make the Eagles interesting, not just due to being a decoy and running the wildcat formation.  He will also make the Eagles interesting because we want to see how he is changed on and off the field. Plus, as we found out after last night’s, Vick’s presence in Philadelphia has created the potential for controversy between he, Donovan McNabb, and the Eagles fans as the season progresses.  

During his interview with James Brown on 60 minutes, Vick acknowledged that he was the last one on the field and the first one off it during his time in Atlanta.  He could get away with this to a certain extent because, as we all know, Vick is as nimble as a cheetah on the field and has a cannon for an arm. There is no denying his skills as an athlete no matter how much we may dislike the things he has done.  

With the media circus that surrounds Vick this year, will he be the first one on the field and the last one off it? What if Vick spends more time watching film and, in turn, is able to break down defenses not only with his legs but with his arm?  He will have six weeks to prepare for the grind that is the NFL before being able to play in the regular seson, and he will be fresh when defenses (and even his own teammates) are banged up.  

This is where things will become interesting.  

Eagles fans have this love-hate relationship with Donovan McNabb.  Things will very likely be rosy for the first seven games of the season for Philadelphia, as they can easily go 6-1 with their schedule.  Once Vick is back, however, the schedule becomes disastrous.  They will play consecutively starting November 1st: the Giants, Cowboys, at San Diego, at the Bears, Redskins, at Atlanta (to say that Falcon fans will not be happy to welcome Vick back is the understatement of the year) and at the New York Giants.  

Not that the Eagles will lose all of these games, but they will be in a “dog fight” for each one of them.  

If Donovan McNabb struggles and Vick shows signs of brilliance, what will happen then?  Do Eagle fans start to chant we want Vick?  [Editor's Note: They already have!]

What I do know is Vick was perfect with 4-4 passing in the first half of tonight’s preseason game while McNabb had a touchdown but also a fumble and a pick returned for a touchdown.  

Was last night a sign of things to come?  Only time will tell. 

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Keep your eye out for Rich’s next column here at MSF, and you can also follow his blog at http://www.nflandcollegefootball.com/.

* – Michael Vick photo credit: AP Photo/Matt Slocum via ESPN.com

What I Learned From My First Fantasy Football Draft: I Love Tom Brady and Felix Jones

After spending a relaxing week of vacation in the Keys, then spending most of yesterday twirling in the inbox maelstrom that awaited me upon my return, I am officially back. And there is no better way to jump right back into sports and blogging than participating in a fantasy football draft.

Last night was my first draft of many over the next couple of weeks. This morning I am going to regale you with what I hope are educational and enlightening nuggets of knowledge and insight that drove my picks as the draft motored along. 

Let’s get right to it.

First, the league particulars so you have a frame of reference:

• 12-team, non-keeper, H2H, PPR
• Starting roster: 2 QB, 3 WR, 2 RB, 1 TE, 1 W/TE, 1 W/R, 2 K, 2 DEF
• Stat notes: 6 pts per passing TD; 1 pt per reception, Return yards counted

And here is my roster, with the draft position (I had the 8th and 15th picks to start) in parentheses:

• QB Tom Brady (1st pick, 8th overall)
• QB Donovan McNabb (3rd, 28th)
• QB Shaun Hill (14th, 145th)
• QB Kerry Collins (18th, 185th)
• RB Frank Gore (2nd, 15th)
• RB Felix Jones (7th, 78th)
• RB LeSean McCoy (10th, 105th)
• RB Darren Sproles (12th, 125th)
• RB Tim Hightower (15th, 158th)
• WR Hines Ward (5th, 48th)
• WR Anthony Gonzalez (6th, 55th)
• WR Torry Holt (8th, 85th)
• WR Steve Smith – NYG (11th, 118th)
• WR Chris Henry (16th, 165th)
• TE Jason Witten (4th, 35th)
• TE Vernon Davis (13th, 138th)
• K Matt Prater (17th, 178th)
• DEF New York Jets (9th, 98th)
• DEF San Francisco 49ers (19th, 198th)

And yes, I know I need another kicker, but for some reason the Yahoo! system wasn’t letting us draft a second kicker. Oh well. Kickers are a crapshoot anyway.

Before I analyze a few of the players individually, here a few picks after which I smiled with that smug feeling we all get when we think we’ve really made a good value pick: Felix Jones, LeSean McCoy, Chris Henry, Vernon Davis.

And, just for good measure, here a few picks from other people that really pissed me off because it removed someone from the board a pick or two before I was targeting them: Drew Brees (I picked Brady), Randy Moss (I picked Gore), Ronnie Brown (I picked McNabb), Percy Harvin and Ted Ginn Jr (I picked Steve Smith, the Giants one), Ahmad Bradshaw (I picked V Davis).

Now that we have all of that out of the way, here are a few of the important lessons that I am taking away from my first fantasy football draft of the 2009 season:

I am bullish on Tom Brady

I know that Tom Brady is coming off a pretty nasty knee injury, and as fantasy football owners we have all been (rightfully) conditioned to be wary of using high draft picks on guys coming off of injury, but…

It’s Tom F’ing Brady. 

In a 2-QB league, I knew I wanted to get either Brees or Brady with the 8th pick since the elite RBs would be gone. Brees obviously comes with less risk and is stellar every season, but Brady is the one guy that I think has a legitimate shot to surpass Brees’ production this year. All you have to do is look at Brady’s last full season in the league to see what he’s capable of producing. That is why I also targeted Randy Moss in the second round, although my dad got to him first.

I’d been going back and forth in my mind about whether or not I consider Brady a first round pick. In a standard 1-QB league, probably not. But he would still be the 2nd QB I’d want. In a 2-QB league I definitely think he is a first round pick and my lack of hesitation in clicking the “Draft” button proved to me that I’m confident in Brady’s ability for a strong rebound season. And you should be too.

Felix Jones has the potential to be a mid-round pick that produces top-round value

Maybe it’s listening to Dallas radio every day and hearing the perpetually negative Dallas talking heads always gushing about Felix Jones. Or perhaps it’s the memory of his scintillating but sparse performances as a rookie in which he seemed to create a big play TD every game until he got hurt. Or quite possibly it’s the memory of how Steve Slaton and Chris Johnson turned into great late-round picks for me last year at RB.

Either way, for those reasons and many more, I am extremely high on Felix Jones this season.

For goodness sakes, Felix Jones averaged 8.9 yards per carry last year as a rookie.  Granted, he only got 30 carries in six games…but 8.9 yards per carry. He also scored 3 TDs in the midst of those 30 carries. I know that it’s a small sample size, but the Cowboys had already started to increase Jones’ role in the offense before he got hurt in Week 6. This season, they are committed to increasing his role even more.

There is already talk that Felix Jones may add punt returning to his list of duties, and from everything I have seen and read the Cowboys want to get him 12-15 touches per game. For a lot of players that might not be enough to secure an every week starting position on fantasy rosters, but for a guy with the breakaway ability of Jones it’s plenty.

Sure, he’ll have a few weeks where he might not generate huge numbers, but that is not unlike a lot of players. This is a guy who does not need goalline carries to get touchdowns — which is good, because Marion Barber will get those — and a guy who plays for a team that is seeking playmakers to replace the lost production of Terrell Owens.

It sounds like the Cowboys are going to be committed to running the ball more this year and to lightening the load on Marion Barber somewhat, especially in early in games, so he is fresh to close them out in the 4th quarter. That opens the door for Felix Jones to get his touches, and I have a feeling Jones will get more and more as the season progresses and he proves himself to be the most dynamic playmaker on a Cowboys’ offense that may struggle to get big plays out of its passing game.

I don’t think Felix Jones will produce 1st or 2nd round value — although he could if Marion Barber were to get hurt — but I do think he can be a solid #2 running back that produces like a 3rd or 4th round pick. I might have taken him a bit early in the 7th round, but only because I knew my brother wanted him too. My advice would be to start targeting Jones around the late 7th to early 8th round, and then reap the rewards of his big play TDs all season long.

Those two picks — Brady in the 1st and Felix Jones in the 7th — were the two I felt the strongest about coming out of last night’s draft.  Here a few other quick-hit thoughts regarding my players:

I think Donovan McNabb could be primed for one of his best seasons, assuming he stays healthy. The Eagles have a solid backup to the oft-dinged and now old Brian Westbrook in rookie LeSean McCoy (more on him later), plus they added another playmaking speedster in Jeremy Maclin to go along with DeSean Jackson. Not to mention, Michael Vick may get out there in some wildcat formations which could lead to some unconventional yardage or TDs for McNabb.

Something about McNabb just seems more at ease, more confident this offseason. And with the Eagles playing for the memory of Jim Johnson, and with the bitter taste of last year’s NFC Championship Game loss, I think they will have a solid season…with McNabb leading them every step of the way.

Shaun Hill is sneaky good, by the way, and makes a solid late-round pick as a backup QB.  Did you know that in 12 career starts Hill has a 90.5 passer rating? He should get the nod in San Francisco and be able to get you through a bye week or short-term injury to your starter.

I mentioned LeSean McCoy earlier.  I really like his potential this year as a possible Steve Slaton type back. Remember last season when Slaton started out as Ahman Green’s backup and was considered too small to be an everydown back? Green spent the whole season injured and ineffective and now Slaton is being picked in the first 10-15 selections. That could be McCoy next season.

McCoy’s value obviously goes down if Brian Westbrook stays healthy all year, but with Westbrook already digned up and getting up there in age, it’s not the most outlandish of bets that Westbrook misses some time this year. When he does, McCoy will be there to put up similar numbers as a dual threat back. Plus, McCoy has value even when Westbrook is healthy. The Eagles are going to reduce Westbrook’s workload this year in an effort to try and keep him fresh and healthy. McCoy can produce as a 3rd RB or flex player with 10-15 touches per game.

If you can get McCoy in the 9th to 11th rounds I think you could have yourself a potential Slaton/Chris Johnson type late round steal.

Wide receiver appears to be the weakness of my team, but after the consistent production of Hines Ward I think I have three guys that could significantly trump their production from a year ago.

Anthony Gonzalez enters his third season (the typical breakout year for WRs) and is now firmly entrenched as the #2 WR behind Reggie Wayne. I think Gonzalez is primed for at least 75-80 catches (solid in a PPR league) and should grab 5-7 TDs. 

Torry Holt is getting older and had a terrible year last season in St. Louis, but I see him having a resurgence in Jacksonville.  He is their clear #1 WR and all of the training camp reports say that he has quickly developed a rapport with David Garrard. Plus, Jacksonville has no one else at WR. Holt won’t be the Holt of old, but could put up solid #2 WR numbers. I like him for 80-90 catches and the wily vet could find his way into the endzone 7-8 times as well.

Steve Smith of the Giants is another third year receiver who could have a breakout year. He quietly grabbed 57 balls last year, but only for a 10.1 yard average and 1 TD. He is not a big play guy, nor will he probably score a lot of TDs. But with Plaxico Burress gone and the Giants lacking proven receiving threats on the outside, Eli Manning will probably go to Smith a lot. He has more value in a PPR league and could grab 75-85 balls and get in the endzone a few times. Not bad for a bye week fill-in, #4 WR.

And watch out for Chris Henry in Cincinnati. I know the guy is a knucklehead, but he’s also extremely talented, has Carson Palmer back at QB, and there is a 90-100 catch void with TJ Houshmandzadeh’s departure. Plus, Henry is apparently a “changed man” this year.  We’ll see about that, but guys with proven 50-60 catch, 6-8 TD ability are worthy of late-round fliers, which is why I took one on Henry.

Obviously I love getting Jason Witten, even in the 4th round, because he will be Tony Romo’s #1 target this season. And Witten has more value in a PPR league than a non-PPR. But I also think I may have plucked a top-5 tight end in the 13th round by picking Vernon Davis.

Yes, Davis has proven himself to be a bit of a diva and has failed to fulfill the vast potential that made him a #1 pick. But he still grabbed 52 balls and scored 4 times last year. He is also another guy with a checkered past that appears to be taking his profession more seriously this year. As with Chris Henry, we’ll see. But on a team that lacks great WRs, the tight end will see lots of opportunities in SF.

And for the record, look at Tony Gonzalez’s career stats. It wasn’t really until his third year that he broke out (76 catches, 11 TDs after only 4 TDs in his first two years). Targeting talented pass catchers in their third seasons is a proven strategy for finding sleeper success, and Vernon Davis is a guy you can get cheap that could far outperform his draft position.

Finally, I hate the New York Jets but I love the potential of their defense this year. Not only should they have a healthy Kris Jenkins and be buoyed by the presence of Lito Sheppard opposite Derrelle Revis, but they have former Ravens DC Rex Ryan calling the shots this year. Even if the Jets give up points, they will be aggressive. That means lots of sacks and lots of forced turnovers. Those are the types of defenses that can offer value even when they give up higher scores. I think the Jets could easily finish the year as a top-5, maybe even a top-3, fantasy defense.

**********

Remember, to get any and all fantasy questions answered in a quick and timely fashion, jump on over to the MSF Fantasy Football Discussion Forum, where we are waiting to help you out with your draft preparation. And I know that owe you the other half of my Bust/Sleeper column, so look for that later this week.

* – Tom Brady photo credit: Noon Time Sports

* – Felix Jones photo credit: Dallas Observer Sportatorium

* – Donovan McNabb and LeSean McCoy photo credit: Sean Simmers, The Patriot News via PennLive

Preview and Prediction of the Unlikely Eagles-Cardinals NFC Championship Game, After a Year of Unlikely Occurences

So did you hear the news? The crazy, wild, unbelievable news?

The Arizona Cardinals (yes, the same franchise that has never won two playoff games in the same season) are playing the Philadelphia Eagles (yes, the same franchise that tied Cincinnati earlier this season and was left for dead when they were 5-5-1) in the NFC Championship game. I suppose Philadelphia isn’t that big of a surprise when you consider their four previous NFC Championship game appearances this decade. But the Cardinals? The pathetic, moribund Cardinals? Can it really be so?

Oh, it be so — and I for one think it is going to be a great game on Sunday.

Quickly, as has become our custom in these playoff preview posts, here are the particulars to get you ready for the game:

NFC Championship Game

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals

• Sunday, January 18, 2009
• TV: 3:00 ET on FOX
• Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver
• Season Series: Philadelphia Eagles 1 | Arizona Cardinals 0
• Point Spread: Philadelphia Eagles -3 1/2
• Over-Under: 47 (point spread courtesy of BetUs.com)

Now, let’s have a little fun. 2008 was a most unlikely year, with plenty of occurences that no one ever would have thought possible a 365 days before the NFC Championship game on January 18, 2008. For instance, who would have thought…

• The United States would elect a black President? It happened.
• The Miami Dolphins would go from 1-15 to AFC East champions? It happened.
• The Atlanta Falcons, behind a rookie QB and a rookie head coach, would make the playoffs? It happened.
• The Baltimore Ravens, behind a rookie QB and a rookie head coach, would make not only the playoffs, but the AFC Championship game? It happened.
• The city of Philadelphia would win a championship? It happened.
• Fans of Indiana University would seriously contemplate their team going 0-16 in the Big Ten after ethics violations in their basketball program? It is, sadly, happening right now.
• Brett Favre would be playing for someone other than the Packers? It happened.
• That I would have moved from Indiana to Dallas and started a blog about Midwest sports and then stayed up late to write a preview of a game that does not involve any teams from the Midwest? It happened.

And I could go on and on.

When you take into account all of the crazy, unlikely occurences that we have already seen during this calendar year, maybe we should not be all that surprised that the Eagles and Cardinals are playing this weekend for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

It seems to be just one of those years.

But enough of all this. The Eagles and Cardinals are playing this weekend and you, my faithful readers, are counting on me to provide you with a prediction that will most likely be proven horribly false. 99% of my other predictions have gone that way this season. (At least one thing happened that wasn’t a surprise!)

Before I get into a prediction, let’s run down the current injury status of the key players in this game:

Philadelphia Eagles Injury Updates

• Brian Westbrook is listed as probable and will play.

What, do you need to know any more about the Eagles’ injury report?

Arizona Cardinals Injury Updates

• Anquan Boldin is questionable, and says that he wants to practice a few times this week leading up to Sunday’s game. He will definitely be on the field and give it a go — we’ll have to wait and see how much he has in him.
• TE Stephen Spach is out for the season with a torn right ACL.
• The Cardinals are hopeful that Ben Patrick can serve as the #2 TE.

I’ll update this as the week goes on.

Now, let’s get down to business. Three reasons why the Eagles can win, three reasons why the Cardinals can win, and then a prediction.

Three Reasons Why the Philadelphia Eagles Can Win:

1 — Their defense is playing outstanding. The Eagles are known for their “exotic” blitz schemes and they have been harassing quarterbacks as of late. Just ask Tony Romo and Eli Manning, among others. We all know that Kurt Warner is subject to fumblitis when he gets pressure in the pocket. The Eagles are the kind of team that can do it consistently.

2 — Brian Westbrook is healthy. No, Westbrook did not have a great statistical game against the Giants, but his mere presence means everything for the Eagles’ offense. And while Arizona’s defense did a great job last weekend against Carolina, they are not a dominant unit. On the ground and through the air, Brian Westbrook will get a lot of touches. If the Cardinals cannot contain him — and remember, the Cardinals did not exactly shut down the Panthers running game, Jake Delhomme did — Westbrook could have a huge night.

3 — Asante Samuel and Donovan McNabb are capable of making game-changing plays on every snap. Samuel always seems to come up with interceptions at opportune times, and it will be strength-v-strength with him matched up on the Cardinals’ excellent receivers, a tougher match than Carolina’s DBs. And Donovan McNabb is playing some of the best football he has played in years. He is not always accurate, but he seems much more comfortable with DeSean Jackson and Kevin Curtis. With a healthy Westbrook, McNabb will have his opportunities to make plays down the field.

Three Reasons Why the Arizona Cardinals Can Win:

1 — They have the best player on the field: Larry Fitzgerald. Even with Anquan Boldin out, Fitzgerald was a man among boys last weekend. He dominated, and is capable of making big plays in double and even triple coverage. With Philadelphia sure to pressure Kurt Warner, and the old gray-beard QB being forced to get rid of the ball quickly, he will most likely look to Larry Fitzgerald early and often regardless of the coverage. Fitzgerald is capable of making it work.

2 — Ken Whisenhunt is on a roll pushing the right buttons. He chastised his team after a horrible performance against New England and they responded. He called Edgerrin James’ number early and often in the first round of the playoffs, and the Cardinals actually had a competent running game for once. Having a head coach who is perfectly in sync with his team is crucial at this point in the season, and Whisenhunt is proving to be one of the special young head coaches in the NFL.

3 — The Cardinals defense is playing its best football of the season. They contained the Falcons’ vaunted rushing attack in the the wild-card round. Then last week, they forced 412 turnovers against Jake Delhomme and — whoop! Delhomme just threw another pick as I am typing this. Donovan McNabb can be inaccurate with his throws, and the Cardinals can obviously take advantage. If they can force a few turnovers, it may help neutralize the occasional devastation their blitzing D will surely cause for the Cardinals offense.

So who wins?

I honestly have a strange, nagging gut feeling that this game is going to go into overtime. And no, it has nothing to do with the big story from earlier this year in which Donovan McNabb said he did not know games could end in a tie. It just feels like that close of a game, and it probably should considering that these two teams have nearly identical records. I think Philadelphia is a little bit better and more experienced overall, but the Cardinals are playing home.

In the end though, I can’t pick against the Philadelphia. This season just seems to be shaping up to be one of those storybook season for Donovan McNabb. He’s had plenty of adversity and is now 8 quarters away from cementing his legacy as one of the 15 or so best QBs in NFL history. After the benching fiasco, the overtime hubbub, and the poor overall play of the Eagles, to have led his team to the doorstep of a Super Bowl — well, it just seems like one of those perfect scripts that we see unfold all to often in the NFL.

I think the script continues, and that McNabb and Westbrook do enough to complement a great performance from the Philly D. Look for a Kurt Warner fumble to change the momentum of the game at some point in the second half. A big-play TD in overtime wins it for the Eagles.

Eagles-Cardinals Prediction

Philadelphia Eagles 27 | Arizona Cardinals 21

What do you think?

Who do you think will win this weekend's NFC Championship game?

• Cardinals
• Eagles

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Eagles Beat Giants – McNabb Gets Taunting Penalty for Picking up Phone on Giants Sidelines

Thanks to our friend Robert Littal over at Black Sports Online for the tip on this one.

During today’s NFC Divisional Round playoff game between the Eagles and Giants, which the Eagles won 23-11 to advance to the NFC Championship game next weekend, Donovan McNabb was flagged for a taunting penalty late in the game after picking up the telephone on the Giants’ sidelines.

I actually missed this play when it happened, but heard Joe Buck and Troy Aikman talking about it afterwards. Luckily for McNabb and the Eagles, the game had already been iced away and the penalty did not have any adverse effect on the outcome.

Courtesy of BSO, here is the video:

And as Littal points out in his post about McNabb picking up the phone on the Giants sideline and getting penalized, Troy Aikman had a pretty good like after it happened: “Sometimes I don’t know what is running through that guy’s head.”

In a related story, football fans across the country still have no idea what was running through the head of Donovan McNabb earlier this season when he made these infamous comments about the NFL’s overtime rules.

We do, however, know exactly what is running through Donovan McNabb’s head right now: he and his Eagles are heading to their fifth NFC Championship game this decade to take on another 9-win team, the Arizona Cardinals. And as Mike Florio at PFT points out, this season will be the first time in a non-strike season since 1979 that a 9-win team will be going to the Super Bowl.

Wow. A crazy NFL season just gets crazier. And if San Diego can win at Heinz Field today (behind the inspirational running of Darren Sproles), it will mean that all four home teams, and all four teams who had byes, lost in the Divisional Round.

I guess “bye” had a much different meaning than usual this season.

Donovan McNabb Didn’t Know NFL Games Could End In a Tie? Really?

Heard about this on Mike and Mike in the Morning today driving into work. Yes, I do listen to them when all of the other morning shows are on commercial break. Luckily, I caught it when they were talking Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles tying the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday.

They played audio of McNabb’s press conference in which he admitted to not knowing that NFL games could end in a tie. He compounds this egregious error by wondering aloud what the NFL will do in the playoffs or Super Bowl. Donovan…playoff games can’t end in a tie. They play another overtime. It has happened multiple times.

According to Golic, McNabb was not the only Eagles player to make such an admission after the game, which is maybe even more surprising. Donovan McNabb is not just a rogue moron, but the Eagles locker room is filled with them!

Seriously?

Do Donovan McNabb and the Eagles ever watch the NFL? How can you not know what the overtime rules are, especially when they are such a bone of contention for so many people.

Anyway, here is the video:

What do you think?

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I don’t think this lack of common knowledge by Donovan McNabb did anything to change the outcome of yesterday’s game. He still hurled a hail mary at the end of the game, even though he thought they would get another crack at it. I just think the fact that he didn’t know such a common knowledge rule is mind-boggling, and that he would admit it publicly is even more mind-boggling. If I didn’t know about a rule so germane to the outcome of NFL games, I’d feel horribly embarrassed. I definitely would not be admitting in the press conference and giving the Eagle’s diabolical fan base even more fodder for booing me.

Wow. If this were a rookie, I suppose the lack of knowledge and lack of media savvy could be understandable. Not really, but at least somewhat explainable. For a guy of Donovan McNabb’s experience and stature to look like such a bumbling fool…I don’t really know what to say.

I didn’t know an NFL quarterback could be so clueless.

[tags]philadelphia eagles, NFL, Donovan McNabb[/tags]

NFL: Open Letter to DeSean Jackson

Dear DeSean Jackson

Two weeks ago, after your first week in the NFL, I watched you with a grin on my face in a post game interview as you shrugged and smiled about your first NFL appearance being a 100 yard game. “I’m just living that rookie life.” Well, like Adam Sandler shakes the fat kid’s face in Billy Madison, pleading with him to maintain his innocence, I, too, write to with the same emotion. Pleading with you, don’t go the way of other “locker room problem” receivers.

Monday night you looked like an asshole. I’ll spell it out for you. You dropped a touchdown cause you turn yourself on too much. If your self-obsession is a problem, go beat off in the mirror. Don’t cost your team six points. Any one of your douche bag friends, girlfriends or “buddies” who said, “It’s no big deal, you guys scored, anyway” is wrong. They clearly don’t know the scale of football you play. That was, perhaps, the greatest Monday night game ever and you win the “Biggest Idiot of the Greatest Game” award. If you didn’t have Brian Westbrook risk his neck on the next play, Andy Reid would have eaten you. After allowing a mob, donning Chase Utley jerseys, to pelt you with batteries and put you on the flat grill at Gino’s Steaks.

… Continue Reading