2009 Mid Season Fantasy Football QB Recap

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the NFL season started just the other day. Instead, here we sit halfway through the year and look back at what has already been an amazing season, and for all of the fantasy football managers out there, the regular season's end is hastily approaching. With that being said, I'm going to take a look at the top surprises and busts so far this year at the quarterback position. Also, don't forget to stay tuned for my other surprises and busts at the RB, WR, and TE positions.

QB - Top Three Surprises

1. Matt Schaub - The Houston Texans have been a pleasant surprise in general, but who knew that at this point in the season Schaub would be leading the league in passing yards and TD passes (2,653 yards and 17 TD's respectively). Schaub, who has had some health concerns in years past, looks to shake the injury bug this year and keep up with his torrid pace.
2. Ben Roethlisberger - The Steelers' main man is fifth in passing yards and has tossed 14 touchdown passes this year. The big surprise coming from the fact that Pittsburgh is traditionally a run heavy offense. Where Big Ben has especially shined is efficiency, as shown in his passer rating of 104.1 which ranks fourth in the league.
3. Brett Favre - Before I start, can someone pass John Madden a bib to wipe up his drool? Madden's favorite football player ever has been very efficient this year. Thanks to his backfield partner Adrian Peterson, Favre has thrown 16 TD passes to only three interceptions, and his 106 passer rating is second in the NFL. If Favre can refrain from his usual gun slinging ways, he should be able to keep this pace up and keep us all on the edge of our seats as he retires / un-retires yet again this off season.

QB - Top Three Busts

1. Kurt Warner - Warner, who was drafted rather high in fantasy leagues this pre season, has been decent, but not worthy of the cost. Warner has thrown for 2,175 yards and 16 TD's, but has also thrown 11 INT's, which doesn't justify his high draft day price considering there are currently eight QB's with more yards than him.
2. Matt Cassel - After watching Cassel throw for 3,693 yards last year, the Chiefs have seen Cassel become the next best thing since Scott Mitchell (which really isn't that good of a comparison if your name happens to be Matt Cassel). Granted, the Kansas City Chiefs would have issues beating a high school field hockey team that decided to play football for an afternoon, but the fact is that Cassel was a high draft pick and has yet to come close to performing to his 2008 level. His 1,256 passing yards are way off his 2008 pace.
3. Kyle Boller - So far this year Boller.... Oh, I'm just kidding, no one cares about Kyle Boller. But on a serious note, Trent Edwards has been somewhat of a bust. He might not have been drafted as your starter (at least I hope not!) but there was a huge upside to drafting him once the Bills signed Terrell Owens this past off season. Edwards, and the Bills in general, have been offensively lethargic this year. In six games this year, Edwards has mustered only 985 passing yards. He has thrown for only five touchdowns to go along with his six interceptions. Something tells me that T.O. won't be crying over this QB at his next press conference.

Carson Palmer earns honorable mention for top three surprises this year. His 14 TD passes compared to only seven picks show that he has regained his pre-2008 form, and has led the Bengals to a resurgence in the tough AFC North. JaMarcus Russell would get honorable mention for just being horrible. Unless your name is Al Davis, we all knew he'd be virtually useless, fantasy or not, but no one ever thought he could be this bad. A completion percentage of 48.4%? Really? Two TD passes compared to nine interceptions? Really? After watching him play, Russell would make me look like the next Dan Marino. But hey, he does lead all quarterbacks in one stat...fumbles lost. I guess you have to start somewhere. With the first pick in the draft, again, the Raiders select....

REFS:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/stats/byposition?pos=QB