Fantasy football: Scouting the quarterbacks
Looking at the top quarterbacks of the NFL season.
Sam Bradford, Rams: Looking for a strong year from Bradford, especially since the only way the Rams likely will move the ball is through the air. He's only a QB2, but could be a good draft-to-trade chip for a team that has an exceptional QB1.
Tom Brady, Patriots: If grandpa carved up the Thanksgiving turkey the way Brady sliced up the Eagles and Buccaneers during training camp, our whole family still would be full. Brady is missing a lot of weapons, but it doesn't seem to have slowed him down.
Drew Brees, Saints: How about 45 touchdowns and 4,800 yards as a welcome-back present for head coach Sean Payton?
Andy Dalton, Bengals: This is the year Dalton needs to take that proverbial next step. He has been OK the last 2 years and is not a fantasy option . . . yet.
Joe Flacco, Ravens: The indefinite loss of tight end/security blanket Dennis Pitta (hip) and Anquan Boldin's decision to sign with the 49ers put Flacco in the middle of the fantasy pack.
Matt Flynn, Raiders: No arm. That six-touchdown game at the end of 2011 earned him a ton of money in free agency, but he's not really on the fantasy radar - especially on a bad Raiders team. Oakland could catch read-option quarterback fever if former Ohio State star Terrelle Pryor shows any consistency in practice.
Josh Freeman, Buccaneers: The Bucs say third-round pick Mike Glennon is not a threat to Freeman. They also say they're not going to talk about giving Freeman an extension on his expiring rookie deal until after the season. You do the math.
Robert Griffin III, Redskins: Love the guy, but he is at 23 what Michael Vick is at 33 - good fantasy QB, but risky pick because of injury. Don't overreach.
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers: He is not the type to allow the 49ers to slog through the season with a hangover from losing the Super Bowl. He's looked terrific in camp, but he may be a better real quarterback than fantasy.
Andrew Luck, Colts: Normally changing a kid's offensive coordinator after his rookie season wouldn't be ideal, but the Colts brought in Pep Hamilton to replace Bruce Arians. Hamilton was Luck's coordinator and position coach at Stanford.
Eli Manning, Giants: With Big Blue's running game in transition, here's a bet that Manning breaks his career high of 31 touchdown passes.
Peyton Manning, Broncos: The acquisition of Wes Welker and a favorable schedule means the Broncos' offense should have another monster year. So what if their leader is 37?
EJ Manuel, Bills: Not unless Andre Reed was coming back and bringing Pete Metzelaars with him.
Cam Newton, Panthers: Newton broke Peyton Manning's record for most passing yards (7,920) in the first two seasons of a career, so he can do more than just run. Problem is, after Steve Smith, who are his receivers?
Carson Palmer, Cardinals: Bruce Arians has a way with quarterbacks, and Palmer did have a decent season last year with Oakland. Tabbing him as a starter is a gamble. It's the Cardinals, after all.
Christian Ponder, Vikings: The NFC's version of Andy Dalton. Backup Matt Cassel was brought in to put some heat on Ponder, which is like using a book of matches to heat Antarctica.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers: Only 29. He should be fine as long as backup Vince Young doesn't pronounce the Packers a Dream Team.
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Deep threat Mike Wallace signed with Miami and reliable tight end Heath Miller is out for at least a month with a knee injury. Big Ben is a mediocre fantasy QB.
Tony Romo, Cowboys: Posted remarkably similar numbers as Matt Ryan, but is generally regarded much lower. A Romo-Dez Bryant tandem wouldn't be the worst idea.
Matt Ryan, Falcons: Has improved his TD passing totals in each of his first five seasons. He's a fine choice for those who'd rather get a solid QB at Target than an elite one at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Matthew Stafford, Lions: After throwing 41 touchdown passes in 2011, Stafford had only 20 last year. He enters 2013 with a reworked offensive line, a new running back (Reggie Bush), receiver Ryan Broyles coming back from a torn right ACL and generally inconsistent tight end Brandon Pettigrew having rededicated himself entering a contract year. He also gets to heave it to Calvin Johnson in a pinch.
Russell Wilson, Seahawks: Even with the hip injury to projected top target Percy Harvin, Wilson is for real. He accounted for more total TDs last year (30) than Robert Griffin III (26) or Tony Romo (29).
QUICK HITTERS
On the way up: Russell Wilson, Seahawks
On the way down: Josh Freeman, Bucs
Riskiest pick: Carson Palmer, Cardinals
Late-round look: Sam Bradford, Rams
Please avoid: Joe Flacco, Ravens
Top rookie: EJ Manuel, Bills
Sleeper: Michael Vick, Eagles. Definitely worth a shot as a QB2, since the Eagles figure to be trailing frequently. Vick's also playing for a contract, which should be further impetus for him to slide or get out of bounds.