A new starting quarterback makes most fantasy football owners lick their chops.
Everyone thinks this could be the next big move – the big pick-up that’s going to salvage their season.
The first one to jump on the new starter is the winner, right?
That’s not always the case.
The past two weeks have been a boon for such owners, who several starting quarterback switches, whether due to injury or ineffectiveness. The most high-profile of these comes from New York, where Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is benching the one-time Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner in favor of Eli Manning.
Don’t be so quick to take the bait. There are better options out there and the rest of the schedule looks awfully tough for the rookie, no matter who his brother is.
The Giants still face some of the better pass defenses in the league, including the Eagles, Redskins, Ravens and Steelers.
With the Giants still in the hunt for a playoff spot, it’s questionable why the Giants would make the switch to the rookie now rather than stick with a veteran.
But fantasy owners won’t be sad to see Warner on the bench, particularly in leagues that take points away for turnovers. He’s given up six in the past four weeks.
Another permanent change happened in Washington, where Redskins fans are delighted that Patrick Ramsey is taking over from Mark Brunell, who had passed for fewer than 100 yards in five of the first nine games of the season.
But this is the same Ramsey who was average, at best, as a starter last season before getting yanked.
In fact, this year Ramsey has just one fewer interception than Brunell, and he’s only played in part of two games.
The bottom line is that fantasy owners would do well to stay away from any Redskins quarterback until that offense shows some reason for paying attention to it.
Unfortunately, the best new starter of the bunch is one who is just an injury replacement.
Jacksonville’s David Garrard, who competed for the starting job in training camp, will likely give way in Week 12 to starter Byron Leftwich, who’s expected to return after spraining a knee ligament.
But if you need a quick-fix this week, Garrard isn’t a bad one.
He came in against a relatively stout Lions defense last week and passed for 198 yards and two touchdowns, while picking up 42 yards rushing.
In the Pacific Northwest, we’ll get an up-close look at the debacle that is the Miami Dolphins offense, with new starting quarterback A.J. Feeley in the spotlight.
The Seahawks defense might actually bend enough to give Feeley a few yards – probably a long pass to receiver Chris Chambers at some point – but don’t touch Feeley.
In limited action this season, he has yet to throw for more touchdowns than interceptions in a game and his season high for passing yards was 218 in Week 2.
The Dolphins – like the Redskins – should be avoided at all costs when it comes to quarterbacks, and offense, in general.
Even Chambers and tight end Randy McMichael, who had developed into regular fantasy contributors, are feeling the sting.
Don’t you do it, too.
Columnist Victor Balta:
425-339-3455
or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
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