QB Fantasy Player Rankings: Week 15

Way to go fantasy owners who have made it into the second round of the playoffs. Your another game closer of basking in the glory of a fantasy league championship, but now the real challenge begins of selecting an elite quarterback to lead the charge in your playoff quest, especially if your in desperate need of a QB this weekend. With the amount of injuries to many starters, it’s a difficult time to be scrambling to get a last minute starter, but have no fear for there are plenty of reliable guys suited for the job.

For those of you who own any of the top fantasy quarterbacks already know how important they are and will need not think twice about starting them, but for those owners who are scrambling at the last minute to pick a gunslinger should consider the quarterbacks list below and carefully consider the options they have. Obviously, they want someone who will deliver a big win, rack up a significant amount of fantasy points, and get you to the championship.

Fantasy owners who started Matt Ryan this week got a real treat as he shined in a game where the Falcons were still fighting to hold onto a wild card spot. Ryan went 19 for 26 for 224 yards and three touchdowns, playing one of his best games of the year. Good choice in starting Ryan, if you did. On the other hand, lets hope fantasy owners avoided the opposing quarterback Blaine Gabbert. If you were smart, you’d have passed on Gabbert a while ago.

Well, let’s take a look at who you should be dependent on this weekend at quarterback to give you a better chance of taking home a W.

Definite Starts

Michael Vick- Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick admitted that he wasn’t 100% while playing against Miami the previous week, and didn’t really impress or stand out in his performance, but this week could be a different story. The Eagles and Vick take on the high flying Jets and their aggressive, but sometimes unstable defense and with Vick slowly getting back to form, look for him to have a big passing and running day considering his numbers were pretty low last week.

Andy Dalton- Cincinnati Bengals
This kid has been a great addition to the Bengals, rejuvenating a team that desperately needed a change at quarterback. Andy Dalton has passed for 18 touchdowns and 2,833 yards this season, making him one of the more dynamic rookies to start this year. If it weren’t for Cam Newton, Dalton would have a pretty good shot of wrapping up the rookie of the year award, but nonetheless Dalton has been spectacular and this week looks to keep the Bengals playoff hopes alive by putting up some big numbers on a beat up Rams squad.

Tim Tebow- Denver Broncos
From week to week, Tim Tebow continues to impress and prove the critics wrong. He’s 7-1 as the starter for Denver and looks to improve their winning streak this weekend against the tough New England Patriots. Tebow is always tricky when deciding to start him or not, since most of the time he only shows up for the final quarter, but it might be a good idea to throw him into the starting lineup this week considering he’s taking on the worst ranked pass defense in the league. Tebow is also a running threat, not as of lately since he’s learning to pass more, but still has it in him to take off for the pylons once and a while. The match-up between the Broncos and Patriots will be a great game and look for Tebow, whether or not the Patriots defense bends or breaks, to have a fantastic game.

Start Them But…

Matt Hasselbeck-Tennessee Titans
Matt Hasselbeck was listed as questionable going into the game against the Colts this weekend, but will start, barring any setback. Hasselbeck fully practiced on Friday despite his injured left calf, but is determined to get out onto the field and take the reins to lead the Titans to a wild card spot. Hasselbeck should start based on the fact he’s going up against the worst team in the league, but concerns arise due to his health. If Hasselbeck has any problems whatsoever, in comes Jake Locker (who wouldn’t be bad to have up here either). Nonetheless, be sure you think about starting Hasselbeck and hopefully he won’t suffer any injury if you decide to start him.

Mark Sanchez- New York Jets
Gang Green’s leader has done an adequate job of leading the New York Jets this season and puts up enough numbers for fantasy owners to be satisfied, especially with last week’s 37-10 pounding on the Washington Redskins. Sanchez went 13 for 21 for 181 yards and two touchdowns. This year, Sanchez has tossed 21 touchdowns, has thrown 11 interceptions and is on the verge of eclipsing the 3,000-yard mark. With solid numbers this season Sanchez has done pretty well for himself, but has made some mistakes that have either cost the Jets the game or have come ridiculously close. Sanchez is a good start if you don’t have anyone else, but be wary of Sanchez’s inability to get over the mistakes he makes early in the game.

Rex Grossman- Washington Redskins
Rex Grossman has had an on again off again year with Washington. Last week, he almost made a stellar comeback against the New England Patriots, coming within the final seconds of beating them. Grossman put up 252 passing yards and two touchdowns in the game against the worst ranked pass defense in the league. Look for this week to be no different as Grossman goes up against the 29th ranked pass defense in the New York Giants. Grossman is a solid choice to quarterback this week, but be aware of Grossman’s inability to put the game away if it is close. This is also a division match-up, which is always hard to predict, but also be conscious of the fact that the Giants are pushing to make the playoffs, which means the Redskins could be facing a few problems.

Quarterback Fantasy Player Rankings: Week 15 Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

Forbes Poll: Mike Vick Most Disliked NFL Player

Apparently a high number jersey sales isn’t the best indication of popularity any more. According to a recent poll published by Forbes surveys, Mike Vick still stands at the top of the list as the least “liked” player in the NFL. Vick has tried hard to rebuild his name to the public, but as it seems, he has more work to do.

At first glance I figured this list doesn’t really factor in that “America’s team ” the Dallas Cowboys, has one of the biggest fan-bases in the NFL and is the much hated rival of the Philadelphia Eagles. Same could be said for the reason Tony Romo making the list, probably due to the Eagles, Giants and Redskins faithful.  But surprisingly enough, according to the poll a full 60% of respondents claim the Eagles QB Mike Vick as a player they “dislike,” “dislike somewhat,” or “dislike a lot.” Clearly dog lovers will never forgive Vick for what he did.

I don’t have a most-hated NFL player, but I’m sure I’m going to anger a few Steeler fans here when I say I would easily put Ben Roethlisberger ahead of Mike Vick. Both Vick (and Plaxico) did time for their crimes, where as Big Ben seemed to slip under the radar of what was a very serious allegation. I don’t want to dig up old buried news stories here, nor do I want to point the finger at Roethlisberger as he was never convicted. Yet, Mike Vick did two years in prison and has tried desperately to turn his live around. C’Mon, the guy did two years in jail! and he is still hated? This wasn’t some rancho-relaxo prison with Mountain Dew flavored drinking fountains and rehabilitation programs that involved basket making or yoga, this was hardcore muther-F-ing prison. Watch a couple episodes of OZ and then tell me you still hate the guy, the man paid his dues.

Moving on, I was surprised to see Chad Ochocinco’s name on the list. Maybe the elderly population factor into a large portion of his vote. I can’t see grandma really understanding what “Ochocinco” is all about or what he is doing after he scores a touchdown in the endzone. -Which never happens anymore. The fact that a guy who could only be described as a NFL equivalent to a Clown or Jester, makes the list in a league with thousands of strict and boring rules, annoys me a little.

Cutler and Shockey have attitudes that people will always hate, or should I say “dislike” to be politicaly correct. I’m really surprised Philip Rivers didn’t make the list. The NFL ego is so easy to hate on.

I think Ben Roethlisberger makes the list for two reasons; one his creepy allegation from a year ago, and two for the fact the guy simply wins games. He doesn’t have the Tom Brady looks, the Mike Vick speed or the Aaron Rodgers back-story, Ben Roethlisberger is a blue collar guy that just beats your team week in and week out. He is ugly-repaired after smashing his face from his motorcycle accident and ridiculously allusive for a such a big framed guy. The black and yellow love him and the Steelers have become a team people are tired of seeing win. Translation: People Hate’em

Who is on your list? Leave a comment

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Fantasy Football Rankings: Vick vs. Rodgers

You can justly throw guys like Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning into the mix for the title of “top fantasy quarterback” for the 2011 season.

There’s a solid argument there for each and every QB when creating fantasy football rankings. But none of them are the best option. You can search high and low, and the odds are you’ll always come back with one of two answers: the best fantasy quarterback for 2011 is Aaron Rodgers…or it’s Michael Vick.

So, you’re in the first round or early second. No quarterbacks are gone, and you’re looking to get your elite passer slated before anyone else. Which guy do you hitch your wagon (entire season) to? Check out the analysis and my call, and then make the final decision for yourself.

Why You Should Take Aaron Rodgers

Vick has the athleticism and advantage as a runner, but Aaron Rodgers completely owns him in every other aspect at the quarterback position. In fact, Rodgers arguably owns every other quarterback on an overall level, anyways, as he has the best package of tools out of anyone in the league.

Vick is the better runner, but given Rodgers’ propensity to tear defenses up with his arm, his ability to also carve out decent rushing yardage (300+ rushing yards in last two seasons) and rushing touchdowns (13 in past three years combined), makes him a more dangerous fantasy option.

And unlike Vick, we know exactly what we’re getting with Rodgers. He’s still bringing the heat with a cannon arm and a loaded offense, and he’s also going to do some dirty work on the ground. But Vick can’t bring the consistency and reliability that Rodgers can.

In three years as the starter, Rodgers has missed one start due to injury. In each of his three seasons, he has managed to crack at least 3,900 passing yards, at least 28 passing touchdowns, and 30+ total touchdowns. On top of his positive fantasy numbers, he’s also limited his turnovers, as he’s never thrown for more than 13 interceptions in a single season.

While Vick is the more explosive athlete, Rodgers is actually the more explosive fantasy quarterback, as he consistently churns out elite fantasy numbers and now has a history of doing so over the course of several seasons.

Why You Should Take Michael Vick

Where do I start? The guy does unthinkable things with the football, and he does them just about whenever he desires. The most sickening thing about Mike Vick’s 2010 season is that he was out of football for two years, and he returns and puts up the best numbers he’s ever had.

The so-called inaccurate “running back in a quarterback’s body” took over for an injured Kevin Kolb, got the Eagles into the playoffs, and turned fantasy heads while doing so.

Most people look back to that ridiculous performance against the Washington Redskins, in which he passed for 333 yards, rushed for 80, and scored six total touchdowns. But as amazing as that one game was, his consistency and total numbers in just 12 games was much more impressive as a whole.

Unlike year’s past, Vick was incredibly accurate, climbing into the 60% completion range for the first time in his career. He also posted the highest passer rating of his career, threw for the most touchdowns he ever has, rushed for the most touchdowns he ever has, and passed for the most yards he ever has.

Maybe topping his personal bests aren’t that impressive to some, but the fact that he cracked 3,000 yards passing, 20 passing touchdowns, 600 rushing yards, and nine rushing touchdowns in just 12 games is utterly amazing.

Even more impressive is that two of those 12 games, he didn’t even play the entire game. So, really, we’re talking about some seriously sick fantasy production in 10 full starts.

With his weapons and athleticism, just imagine what he’s now capable of doing over an entire season.

And The Winner Is…

Aaron Rodgers. I know Vick’s athleticism and explosiveness are awfully tempting, but Rodgers is still the better quarterback in the pocket, and he (like Vick) has also proven to be an effective runner, providing versatility in fantasy football unlike anyone else in the league. His passing numbers (in just about every way) will always be better than Vick’s, while he still brings you rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns at a high level.

On top of that, you’re less likely to have your season killed by a major injury with Rodgers. I love Vick’s 2010, and I love his potential in any given week, but Rodgers is the guy who will produce almost every week and will prove to be the more reliable elite option.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Vick vs. Rodgers Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

Ultimate Michael Vick Highlight Video (2010)

Hancho’s newest NFL Video involves the Eagles Quarterback Mike Vick, check it out!

Ultimate Michael Vick Highlight Video (2010) Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

Where do the Eagles go from here?

This whole premise is based on the league actually playing next year.  It is also based on the assumption that the Philadelphia Eagles can’t afford to pay two quarterbacks at starters’ salaries.  The Eagles have other concerns as well, but the biggest question this off season is going to be what to do about the quarterback position.

Going into the season Kevin Kolb was the guy the organization was hanging their hat on.  Kolb, not Michael Vick, was the reason the front office felt comfortable letting long-time starter Donovan McNabb go last off season.  When Kolb got hurt, Vick eventually played too well for Kolb to get back on the field.  Vick had some spectacular moments, but his play fell off late in the season, costing his team a bye and ultimately contributed to the Eagles’ early playoff exit.

On the surface, this looks like a ridiculous argument.  Vick put up near MVP numbers this season.  Even with his time away from football and lack of any meaningful playing time last season, he is still a freak of an athlete.  Even at the age of 31 he can do things on the field that Kolb will never be able to do.  Vick should be the starter going into the 2011-12 season right?  Like ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso says, ‘not so fast my friend’.

In order for Vick to be the long-term starter, he is going to want a long term contract.  He will be thirty-two years old when his next football game is played.  That is not over–the-hill for a quarterback, but for one whose body will take the beating Vick has and will in the future take, his shelf life is not going to be as long as regular drop back quarterbacks.  As the years and hits mount, Vick will become more and more of a traditional drop back passer.  When that happens he will have to rely on his arm only – something that has never been his forte’.

That being said, Kolb – who is about four years younger than Vick – does not have a long track record to go on.  Previous to this year he had only spot duty behind McNabb.  While he looked good in those appearances, general managers and fans have become enamored with quarterbacks who come off the bench and do a good job and then flop as a full-time starter before.  This year when he was given the starting job he got hurt too soon to really get a good picture of what he can be.  His early injury also robbed him of the development he needs to become an every day starter.

It really comes down to a couple of basic questions the front office is going to have to make.  The first is this – are the Eagles built to win right now?  If the front office thinks this basic team has a Super Bowl run or two in it, Vick is their man.  Despite the possibility that the more tape teams get on the new Vick the less effective he will become – like what might have happened the last month of this season – short term he is capable of big numbers and should be trusted to win a big game before Kolb.  If the front office doesn’t think the team is close to a championship, sticking with Vick doesn’t make sense.  Because of his style of play, he only has a few years of elite play left in him before his body starts to break down.  We have seen enough from Kolb to say he is the answer, but if he has it in him, the Eagles are potentially set at quarterback for most of the decade.

Many people saw this season as a re-building year for the Eagles.  The Eagles might have caught lightning in a bottle this season.  The division – and the NFC as a whole – was not as powerful as it looked on paper.  To their credit they took advantage of it.  Who is the man in Philly?  If they think they can do it again, Vick is.  If not, it is time for Eagles to find out if Kolb is.

Photo: SportsChrome

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Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles-2.5

The Packers and Eagles could get into a shoot-out that could outscore all 3 of the other Wild-Card games this weekend. Both teams have explosive offenses that can strike fast. While Aaron Rodgers is a smart calculated pocket passer, Mike Vick is a highlight reel of improvisation. Both find ways to move the chains, put up points, and cause Grey-hairs for defensive coordinators.

The X-factor for this game lies in the injury-plagued Eagles defense. With everyone boasting Vick for MVP, little have showed the coaching staff any love this season. Mike Vick is by far the most exciting player Reid has ever had, yet the Eagles have always found a way to get the job done, NFC Divisional Playoff game with Jeff Garcia? -It happened. Yet, with every playoff run, the Eagles coaching staff (accompanied with their questionable play calling) have been backed by a strong defense. This season the Eagles rank 21st in defensive points against and are average at best in all other categories. The lack of pass rush and questionable secondary have created holes on this aggressive defense. The key to this game is whether Philly can keep Aaron Rodgers from exposing them. If Rodgers finds a rhythm and gets comfortable, the Eagles could be in trouble.

Check out our Wild-Card Picks

Team records:
Green Bay: 10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS
Philadelphia: 10-6 SU, 8-8 ATS

Green Bay most recently:
When playing in January are 6-4
When playing on grass are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the division are 6-4

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing in January are 4-6
When playing on grass are 6-4
After being outgained are 7-3
When playing outside the division are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Green Bay’s last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Green Bay’s last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Green Bay’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Green Bay is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia’s last 8 games when playing Green Bay
Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Green Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 7 games when playing at home against Green Bay
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Philadelphia’s last 12 games

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NFL Picks Week 16

It seems that the crew is torn on a few games in week 16, but for the most part the home teams look to play huge favorites. Brett Favre won’t be playing Sunday night, making the Monday Night game Falcons vs. Saints, the only real watch-able prime time match-up of the four games. It’s odd that the Vikings would be flexed to prime time game for the pure reason of a possible Mike Vick vs. Brett Favre meeting. With all wildcard hopefuls and must win situations, you’d think that a game that meant something would out-weigh big name QB’s, go figure.

NFL Picks Week 16 Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born

As if it were a nightmare, Philadelphia Eagle fans are mentally preparing themselves for a burgundy and yellow number five to step out of the tunnel and onto the field at Lincoln Financial. This image is an unparalleled scene of horror in the minds of some, while more level headed minds remain indifferent knowing that the decision to send Donovan McNabb to Washington was not his own, it was the organizations and that McNabb would have loved to remain in Philly. However it is that you feel, be primed to see a mix of crowd reaction in Philadelphia, although the majority of the crowd should be happy to see Donovan.

The game is being dubbed Vick vs. McNabb by the media, although neither quarterback sees it as so. Donovan McNabb is a long time friend of Michael Vick (extending before his incident) and has been considered the reason that Vick was initially brought into town.  Now, the starting QB job in Philadelphia is No. 7′s. In Vick’s return to the NFL last season McNabb was instrumental in facilitating Vick’s mental and physical comeback which both players acknowledge make the situation bitter-sweet. “One thing that I wanted to do was give the guy an opportunity, give him a second chance, so many people turned their back on him and talked about the negative side of things. I think before you begin to make assumptions and try to read into anybody, you need to learn a little bit more about him. I think now people are starting to learn more about Mike the person, not just the football player.”

McNabb’s handle on his emotions should have a significant effect on how he plays in this game. It is quite possible that Donovan is not able to keep his emotions in check and tosses one too many errant balls.  However McNabb has thrived his entire career upon the criticism of others, so I wouldn’t put him down for the count too soon. And although play calling has obviously been switched to confuse McNabb from his knowledge of previous offenses and defences, his familiarity with certain packages will go a long way in aiding the Redskins.

Four weeks in, this trade seems to be panning out for both sides. McNabb has thrown for 833 yards, with 2 TDS, 1 INT and has a QB rating of 89.3. While the 37th overall selection in the 2010 draft (traded for McNabb to the Eagles by the Redskins) Nate Allen has been producing.  Allen has started at safety and in 3 games has recorded 11 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 interceptions; he has been named the Defensive Player of the Month.

At this point it’s difficult to analyze the long term worth of this trade but the short term impact for this season is much easier to investigate. Simply put, if McNabb and the Redskins come out of the Linc with a victory, the trade was a loss for the Philadelphia Eagles. That not only gives them a division tying 2-2 record, but also the confidence and advantage of knowing the remaining game against Philly is in Washington. McNabb clearly is an asset, one who definitely has more of an impact on any given Sunday than FS Nate Allen. To trade him away within one of the most competitive divisions in all of football is surely a questionable decision, if Nate Allen does not emerge to be one of the better safeties in the game for years to come, than I’m hard pressed to say that Philadelphia got the better end of this deal.

Regardless of the value of the trade, Michael Vick is performing at a career best level in the absence of McNabb and now Kolb. Sunday’s matchup is by far the most anticipated of the day and should likely live up to that hype. Interestingly enough, McNabb has never been in the visiting locker room at the Linc noting that it may be cramped, messy, and generally unorganized, as the Philly staff has never seemed to be too accommodating to the visitors.

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• The 3-0 Kansas City Chiefs are for real
  Forget taking off his pants, Mike Singletary is going to have to get naked if he wants to get the 49′ers attention these days. The Chiefs are playing some excellent football and have exciting players making big plays on all phases of the game. The Chiefs started 0-4 last season and have only won 10 games in their previous 3 seasons, but look like a threat each week so far in 2010.

• Steelers Deadly Even Without Roethlisberger
  One of the teams not getting enough attention is the Pittsburgh Steelers and their impressive winning streak with a bunch of backup subbing QB’s. The Buc’s were out matched and were handed their first loss today in a 38-13 trashing.

• I Was Wrong About Mike Vick
  Ok, I’ll admit it, I was totally wrong about Mike Vick. I thought the scrambling QB was just getting lucky making throws off his back foot, but he barely ran in Jacksonville and stood in the pocket making excellent reads. Vick made some beautiful throws that were on a rope for a near perfect day.

• Rams Surprise the Redskins
  McNabb will need to get his team more prepared next week in Philadelphia. The Skins experienced a huge set back losing on the road in St.Louis and giving up their lead in the division

• Texans Are Human
  The Cowboys were playing desperate football and showed Houston that just because you’re off to a hot start doesn’t mean you’re going to walk away with an easy win. The Texans were a little out of sync , but should use this loss as a learning experience and move forward next week.

• Giants Teams self destruct
  5 personal foul penalties ruined any chance New York had in getting a win today. That and having no answer for Chris Johnson.

Week 3 Continues To Surprise NFL Fans Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born