Fantasy Football Training Camp: Quarterbacks

The 2007 NFL season is nearly upon us. To every fantasy football addict this could only mean one thing. Training Camp. No, not when big boys get on the field and sweat and grunt and skin up their knees. The training camp I'm referring to happens only in front of a computer. Instead X's and O's, this training camp playbook consists of Mock drafts, drafting schemes, sleeper lists, and the latest injury reports. Preparing for your leagues upcoming fantasy draft is filled with great excitement for the fantasy junkie. Knowing that out of the eleven other guys in his league, ten of them are still focused on baseball only makes him even more excited. With all that said, please allow me to divulge my list of the top ten quarterbacks that should be starting in your league.
1. Manning, Payton, IND - This is an obvious choice. Just make sure that when you say his name that you actually use his first and last name. Commissioners are sneaky, and they may just try to give you Eli. Manning shouldn't lose anything this year; if anything this should be just another year of dominating. Although he may not throw as many touchdowns' as he has in years past, he is still by far the best passer in the NFL. He should be the first quarterback drafted, with no exception. Unless, of course, your in my league, where someone has a man crush on Brett Favre. I'm only slightly kidding. Back to Payton, He shouldn't slip into the first round, but early second round may not be that much of a reach.

2. Palmer, Carson, CIN - Palmer, when healthy, has proven he knows how to throw the ball. He may slip some this year, given the problems the Bengal's have had keeping the stripes on their players back black and orange instead of black and white. If he stay's healthy, and out of jail, which although he has been slightly injury prone he has of yet stayed on the right side of the law, then he should definitely be considered your second QB chosen this year. Hold your breath on the health issues though, and for this reason, I would have my two running backs in the fold before I went with Carson. If Palmer is your pick, then I would definitely choose a backup QB as one of my early bench picks.

3. Brady, Tom, NE - I like Brady here simply because of one man. Randy Moss. Brady has to be excited when he sees Moss get in the huddle, because now there is a weapon, where there used to be just a tool. All the other receivers Brady has worked with have been usable, but I think, now, Brady is not going to have to work as much at getting him the ball, because Randy is going to be motivated to catch it.

4. Brees, Drew, NO - Brees is a close runner up to Palmer and Brady. In some leagues, he may go earlier. It will be interesting how a year of experience with Bush and Colston will open up the playbook a little for the saints. This maybe Drew's year to challenge Payton for that top spot, however, I still want to see it happen before I spend more then a third round pick on him.

5. Bulger, Mark, STL - One thing about it, you can count on Bulger to put up consistent numbers. With the acquisition of Drew Bennett, Bulger once again has a target to toss to. Stephen Jackson likes to catch the ball too, so look for another good year. I would look to add Bulger after the third round and into the fourth.

6. Hasselbeck, Matt, SEA - Don't count the Seahawk quarterback out of a good year this year. I would be more then satisfied with him as my starter, as long as I didn't have to reach pass the fourth round for him.

7. McNabb, Donoven, PHI - The injury prone McNabb is someone that I normally refrain from drafting. But if he's available in the fifth round, go ahead and pick him. There are too many clouded vision Eagle fan's out there though, for him to fall too far.

8. Rivers, Phillip, SD - I love the potential that Rivers brings to your fantasy team, especially if you already have your running backs and wide receivers set. Rivers probably wont' make it out of the fourth round however, but if he's there in the fifth, go ahead and get him.

9. Young, Vince, TEN - VY is only going to get better. The TD's and yards he gets you with his feet definitely compensates for the lack of wr talent. Be quick to draft a suitable backup if Young is your starter, however.

10. Romo, Tony, DAL - Look for Romo to overcome his problems of last year, and expect a decent season. I would hope to have a good backup in case Romo catches that bug that all Dallas quarterbacks since Aikmen have caught. The underperformance and overrated bug. Hopefully he avoids this though, and becomes a decent starter in this league.

Sleeper: Kitna, John, Det - With the addition of Calvin Johnson via the draft, look for Detroits John Kitna to have a good year. If I wasn't sold on my starter, Kitna would be a solid backup.

Busts: Vick, Michael ATL - I'm sorry, but I stay way away from him this year. Who knows what is going to happen with him.

Hopefully this has helped prepare you for your draft. Remember, this is training camp. You can't read too much material.