This is the weekend of the young/backup/craperrific quarterbacks getting their shots. It shouldn’t make for much good football, but it could be funny. Add Jimmy Clausen and John Skelton to some of the guys below and we really should appreciate Manning, Brady, and Brees a little more.
Donovan McNabb: Mike Shannahan has done lost his mind. If he thinks Rex Grossman and John Beck are better quarterbacks than DMac he needs to get out of the business. This hurts Chris Cooley and Santana Moss and Ryan Torain. Maybe I saw Sexy Rexy too often here in Chicago, but I would start the Cowboys defense a few times over.
Kyle Orton: He didn’t throw on Friday and it is looking like Tim Tebow might get his first start. Tebow will hurt the Broncos fantasy players, especially Brandon Lloyd. Knowshon Moreno should still be good to go, but could have trouble getting many goal line looks. The Raiders become a viable fantasy defense this week and we should see first hand why Josh McDaniels was fired.
Aaron Rodgers: He didn’t practice on Friday and it’s looking more likely that Matt Flynn will get the start. He did ok getting the ball to Greg Jennings, but this does drop Jennings out of elite range. It does make the Patriots a good start.
Joe Webb: It looks like Webb will get the start and he has wide receiver eligibility in Yahoo leagues. They will be playing in God awful cold weather, but little wind and no precipitation. Webb is an extremely gifted athlete and should take off with the ball at anytime. I wouldn’t be surprised at 50 yards rushing and 150 yard passing with a TD either rushing or passing. If you get a good chunk of negative points for an interception or only 4 points for a passing TD, he does lose a little value. His upside is worth a WR3 slot.
Matt Cassel: He has been practicing and it looks like he might get the start. If he does I wouldn’t play him unless you are desperate, but I would feel better about Bowe and JC.
Aaron Hernandez: He has the flu and has been limited. I’m guessing he will be ok for the game, but the lack of practice does hurt him. I would boost Gronkowski up a notch or two.
Marion Barber: He was limited in practice, but could return this week. Tashard Choice loses any upside if The Barber cuts into his work.
David Garrard: His hammy got a bit of a whammy and even though he should play he loses a lot if his legs aren’t 100%. We should see a lot of MJD and Rashad Jennings.
Chris Ivory: He didn’t practice on Friday. His chances of playing aren’t great and if he were to play he wouldn’t be the main guy. Pierre Thomas would gain some value if Ivory is out.
DeSean Jackson: He has been limited in practice, but guaranteed he would start. I’m going to take him at his word.
Adrian Peterson: He hasn’t practiced, but they do have a Monday night game so it’s not crazy to give his ankle the rest. Just make sure he goes on Saturday. He is downgraded with Webb in there, but he’s too good to bench unless you have three top ten options at RB this weekend.
Percy Harvin: He’s finally back to practicing, but Webb does hurt his upside. In return yardage leagues he is still viable though.
