After taking some time to look at everything again, here are my updated Quarterback Rankings for the 2009 season.
1) Drew Brees (NO) Despite various injuries to primary targets such as Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey, and Reggie Bush Brees threw for a phenomenal 5,067 yards last year to go along with 34 touchdowns. WR Lance Moore had a breakout year as the second receiver with 928 yards and ten scores. Former first round pick Robert Meachem showed improvement and Devery Henderson continued to be the deep threat, averaging over 24 yards per catch. With so few changes in personnel in the offseason, there is no reason Brees can't exceed his TD totals while continuing to pass for a lot of yards. If Colston can stay healthy it's almost a guarantee.
2) Tom Brady (NE) When Brady collapsed to the turf just a few minutes into the first game of the year, it was the "Injury Felt Around The Fantasy World". (I was one of those that felt it.) And while yes, he's coming off of a major injury, he's still got an elite receiving duo in Randy Moss and Wes Welker. He's got a new deep threat in Joey Galloway and nice red zone target in TE Ben Watson. If he stays healthy I believe he can come close to the numbers he put up in 2007.
3) Kurt Warner (Ariz) This ranking will change if the Cardinals decide to trade WR Anquan Boldin. But with Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and slot receiver Steve Breaston, Warner put up huge numbers last year. Of course, the lack of a running game helped boost Warner's stats last year and that area is bound to improve with the coming of rookie RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, but I can still see 30+ touchdowns from the old man.
4) Donovan McNabb (Phil) I'm hoping to get some debate about this choice (agreement would be nice too). The Eagles went out and got some weapons for McNabb in the draft in WR Jeremy Maclin, RB LeSean McCoy, and TE Cornelius Ingram. Add them to the always dangerous Brian Westbrook, up and coming WR DeSean Jackson, reliable vet WR Kevin Curtis, and red zone TD threat TE Bret Celek you have the makings of a high scoring offense. Plus you have to figure McNabb is still fired up about his Week 12 benching against the Ravens last year and all of the talk of him being traded. I think he'll be out to prove to everyone he can still get the job done. I consider him a very viable starter on any fantasy squad
5) Aaron Rodgers (GB) I for one was pleasantly surprised by how Rodgers performed under intense scrutiny (Thanks to the Bret Favre Retirement Saga)last year. He had his bad moments, but his production was pretty consistent. With 28 touchdowns through the air and 4 more on the ground, Rodgers ended up being a solid starter on many fantasy teams (including mine)last year. Now that he has a solid footing in the offense and a nice tandem in WRs Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, I can see him matching and maybe even exceeding those numbers in 2009.
6) Peyton Manning (Ind) Normally predicted as a Top 3 QB annually, I think he may slide a bit this year. Marvin Harrison is gone and there is no proven No. 3 receiver in Indy. The Colts drafted RB Donald Brown in the first round to pair with Joseph Addai in a more run oriented attack like that of Carolina and others. Manning still has WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark so he will continue to be a solid starter, but the days of gargantuan numbers may be in the rear-view mirror.
7) Matt Ryan (Atl) After quite possibly the most solid rookie season of any quarterback in recent NFL history, my expectations of Matt Ryan are quite high for his sophmore season. He already has a great connection with WR Roddy White and now has a legitimate red zone TD threat in TE Tony Gonzalez. And while RB Michael Turner's 17 touchdowns helped limit Ryan to only 16 passing TDs, I can't see Turner being able to repeat that total. I can see Ryan throwing around ten to twelve more touchdowns than last year.
8) Carson Palmer (Cin) Moved him up a few spots since last time. Sounds like he is fully recovered after being out most of last season with torn ligaments in his elbow. You would think the loss of T.J. Houshmandzadeh would lower his value, but with an arenal of Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles, Chris Henry, Andre Caldwell, and others, Palmer has the weapons to put up big numbers. The downside is, they play the Steelers and Ravens twice each. Might want to draft a strong backup to use in those four games. I still like him as a low-end starter this year.
9) Philip Rivers (SD) Rivers shocked everyone last year by putting up 4,000 passing yards with 34 touchdowns. WR Vincent Jackson finally emerged as a legitimate threat while TE Antonio Gates continued to be a solid go-to guy in the red zone. Add Chris Chambers, Darren Sproles, Malcolm Floyd, and of course LaDainian Tomlinson to the mix. I'm not convinced he can repeat those numbers ... but then I didn't think he'd even come close to them LAST year. So at least for now, I have to say he's a solid starter.
10) Tony Romo (Dal) Dropped him four spots from my previous Top Ten. Some people feel he is a Top 5 QB this year, but I'm not so convinced. Say what you want about Terrell Owens being a distraction or how many balls he dropped, he was still a huge playmaker that is hard to replace. WR Roy Williams is a legitimate No. 1 receiever and TE Jason Witten is one of the best tight ends in the league. But who are the number two and three WRs? Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin? I'm not convinced they can replace the numbers T.O. has put up over the last three years. I like Romo as a starter, but not quite as high on him as other folks.
11) Kyle Orton (Den) Great OL, great WRs, a proven offense... what's NOT to like?
12) Trent Edwards (Buff) T.O. will make this offense better and Edwards owners will reap the rewards.
13) Eli Manning (NYG) Team reloaded on weapons in the draft. If Eli can gel with them early, he could be a sleeper.
14) Jay Cutler (Chic) Don't like his receivers and his OL is aging fast. I can't see him as a starter this year.... except against the Lions.
15) Ben Rothlisberger (Pit) Steady numbers, but never earth shattering.
16) Matt Schaub (Hou) Has great WRs, needs to stay healthy for a full season.
17) Matt Cassel (KC) Not as good of a supporting cast as in NE.
18) Jemarcus Russell (Oak) Might be better in third year than most expect.
19) Dante Culpepper (Det) Last chance for once great QB. Has Calvin Johnson which is a plus.
20) David Garrard (Jac) Best of the rest.
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