So you waited on a quarterback during your draft. You figured you’d stack your lineup with stud running backs and wide receivers, and pick up an unproven or questionable quarterback in the middle to late rounds. A lot of you ended up with guys like Kevin Kolb, Joe Flacco, and Brett Favre.
Those that REALLY waited may be saddled with the likes of a Matthew Stafford or Donovan McNabb. You expected your quarterback to be the Trent Dilfer of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. Provide a few points, but just don’t LOSE the game.
Now, after a week one that saw very little solid quarterback play from anyone outside the top seven, (other than Jay Cutler), you’re probably feeling a bit anxious. (Especially if your horses were guys like Andre or Calvin Johnson, Ray Rice, Michael Turner… the list goes on.)
But, all is not lost.
Take a deep breath. Relax.
Just like Rex Ryan, tell yourself “it’s only week one, and we’ll get better.”
The beauty of fantasy football is we have much more control than a head coach does. Mark Sanchez (I didn’t mention him above, because if you’re counting on him as a starter, you must’ve been on auto-draft, and might as well forfeit. No, I take that back. No I don’t. Yes I do. This article still applies to you.), will never win you games, but his ability to “not lose” them in the NFL, doesn’t apply to fantasy.
Maybe when Santonio Holmes' suspension is up, so will his prospects go, but until then, he should be on zero rosters. So Rex will stick with the USC Golden boy and expect to win with solid running and defense. Okay, I digress... what’s this got to do with your floundering quarterback situation?
Maybe not much, but to the point:
If you’re an owner of Kevin Kolb, who suffered a concussion against the Packers and is questionable for this week against the Lions, and you don’t have a reliable backup on your roster, than you’re gonna have to make some decisions this week. First and foremost, stake a waiver claim on Michael Vick. Regardless of your league’s scoring system, Vick look rejuvenated and if he’s got the keys to the Philly offense, you should try and do as Reid does, hand them over to the dog lover, ESPECIALLY against the Lions.
It seems like a strong possibility that Kolb won’t be playing this week, and even if he does, it’ll be limited. So if you’re team is solid everywhere else, hold steady and see what Vick gives you. Now, if some shrewd owner decides to block you on your claim, or perhaps a team also with a need at quarterback with waiver priority steals him, there just may be some other value on the waiver wire.
Here’s a few quick answers that may be available on your waiver wire:
Matt Hasselbeck. He’s been completely overlooked, and had a solid week one performance, throwing for 170 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for one. He may have thrown more if his team hadn’t taken such a commanding lead in the second half. Denver allowed three touchdown passes through the air to the Jacksonville Jaguars, so Hasselbeck could easily match his week one numbers come Sunday.
Speaking of the Jaguars…
David Garrard is also a solid pickup as a week two replacement. Ironically, he also threw for 170 yards, but added three touchdowns via the pass. A matchup at San Diego, in what could be a high scoring contest, should provide plenty of chances for Garrard to put up another solid game. Garrard’s counterpart this past week, Kyle Orton, also looks like he may have a bit of value.
Orton looked pretty solid on Sunday, throwing for just under 300 yards and a score, and could definitely provide some stability at the quarterback position for your fantasy team until an ultimate decision is made on Kolb.
Lastly, don’t be scared to pick up Matt Cassel this week, as he faces off against the Cleveland Browns.
Last year, he torched the Browns for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. With guys like Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster showing big play ability, any quick dumpoff pass could end up crossing the goalline. So if you're really desperate and the other guys are gone, he could be a solid week two play.
Tough matchups and injuries happen all the time. You have to realize that and not do anything too reactionary after a tough game. The same goes for an injury, until you know the true extent of it.
Kolb could end up playing this week, or he could be out a month. We just don’t know yet. Patience, as always, is key.
Flacco, Favre, McNabb and eventually, maybe even Stafford, will have their days to shine. Some will more than others, but they all will win you some games. So, if you were a proud drafter of Kevin Kolb this season, don’t sweat it. Try to get Vick or grab a guy off waivers to fill your roster this week. However, if you see another team with multiple quarterbacks, don’t hesitate to try and trade.
If your team has enough depth, it’s always a good idea to make a pre-emptive move, so long as you’re not sacrificing too much. I’m not saying give up a stud running back for Matt Ryan, but maybe a third running back for a Jay Cutler owner, who wants to sell high. You can never have enough options, but you’ll never know unless you throw out the offers.
Doing it now, rather than waiting until you’re completely desperate, will help you salvage some value in the players you are willing to part ways with in a trade.
The reality is, you’re not going to win all of your games, and every one of your players isn’t going to perform every week. It’s only week one, so have faith in your draft.
Quarterbacks aren’t normally like wide receivers and running backs, where one or two studs show up out of nowhere each year. Keep your eyes open for trade opportunities, and be diligent on the waiver wire.
If you do, a little concussion to your ninth round starter shouldn’t be anything more than a speed bump on your way to the championship. I mean, you didn’t expect him to WIN the championship for you to begin with did you? That was the responsibility of your first eight picks. He was only supposed to pull a Dilfer.
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