Fantasy Football: Quarterbacks

A football team's success relies heavily on the success of it's Quarterback. The same can be said for Fantasy Football. Heading into the 2008 season, you won't find a team ranked in the upper tier of the league that has questions at the QB position. For fantasy reasons, you need a play caller that is consistent, stays healthy, has offensive play makers around him, and can lead his team into the end zone. Passing yards equal points, so it helps to have a gunslinger on a pass happy team as well.

Who are the Top 5 Fantasy QB's heading into 2008?

1. Tom Brady (Patriots) It'll be difficult to follow up his 2007 season where he threw for 4806 yards and 50 TD's. He has not missed a start in the past six years nor has he thrown for fewer than 3500 yards in any of those seasons. He will remain reliable and the Patriots have the easiest schedule this year. His supporting cast led by WR Randy Moss and WR Wes Welker are still the best in the league.

2. Peyton Manning (Colts) An injured knee will not keep Manning from having another great fantasy football season. He has 10 straight years of more than 3700 yards passing and has thrown at least 31 TD's in each of the past two seasons. Look for another big season as the Colts continue to be a contender in the AFC.

3. Tony Romo (Cowboys) While girlfriend Jessica Simpson sings praises that Romo is "her Sunday", so will we come this Fall. 4211 yards passing and 38 TD's in 2007; he will once again lead one of the most talented teams in the NFL with WR Terrell Owens and TE Jason Whitten. Expect a dominant defense to keep the Cowboys in good field position and a barking Owens to make sure Romo gets his numbers and TD's.

4. Drew Brees (Saints) Despite the distractions in their 2007 offense with injuries, disappointing play and departed players, Brees actually had a better year than his previous one when he led the Saints to the NFC Championship game in 2006. Enter a healthy WR Marques Coleston, a determined RB Reggie Bush and new big target TE Jeremy Shockey, and expect Brees to have a huge season.

5. Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) In his first season with HC Mike Tomlin, Big Ben improved his passing TD total from 20 in 2006 to 34 in 2007. Add the fact that he also threw at least one TD in every game and at least two TD's in nine starts, expect him to enter 2008 with the guns firing. A healthy WR Santonio Holmes, reliable WR Hines Ward, consistent TE Heath Miller and rookie standout WR Limas Sweed, should help make Ben a top Fantasy choice.

The next 5 should be:

6. Derek Anderson (Browns) Must have big season with QB Brady Quinn waiting in wings
7. Carson Palmer (Bengals) His WR's are playing for contracts, meaning big numbers
8. Matt Hasslebeck (Seahawks) HC Holmgren wants to throw, and throw often
9. Eli Manning (Giants) He's a Manning, but needs to have some new targets step up
10. Phillip Rivers (Chargers) Leads top talented team in NFL, just needs to manage it

Injury Comebacks:

11. Donovan McNabb (Eagles) Must stay healthy or he'll lose his job to QB Kevin Kolb
12. Jake Delhomme (Panthers) Do or die year for Panthers, has weapons to be successful 13. Marc Bulger (Rams) Is consistent when healthy, needs help from young WR's

Something to Prove:

14. Aaron Rodgers (Packers) Good luck, the Favre monkey on your back is the size of a gorilla
15. Vince Young (Titans) Has the skills to be an all around great, hasn't shown it yet
16. Tavaris Jackson (Vikings) Rest of the team is Super Bowl ready, are you?

Sleeper Picks:

17. Trent Edwards (Bills) Potential to have a big year with a TON of young weapons around him
18. Matt Schaub (Texans) Needs to correct his mistakes and stay healthy
19. Alex Smith (49ers) Two words: Mike Martz; either going to be a home run or strikeout
20. Jason Campbell (Redskins) It's a coin-flip here, his help are mostly rookies