QUARTERBACKS IN THE WINGS

By The Fantasy Trader, NFL Draft Bible

Have you ever tried to explain Fantasy Football to someone who has never played? Well, we draft real players and form a team that competes each week. Fantasy Football is like being a real owner. If this were true, then why does the fantasy quarterback get the shaft?

Just about the entire first round will be running backs. Part of the reason for this is that there is so much depth at the quarterback position. Tony Romo, Vince Young, Jeff Garcia, David Garrard and Jay Cutler started the season as backups, but got the full-time gig and made serious contributions. So much is made of the backup running back, but let’s see who might breakout in the backup quarterback role.

David Carr, Carolina Panthers-- Has there ever been a better example of losing your job and it being considered a good career move? Carr picked himself up off the ground 41 times last year. Despite the lack of protection he still managed to complete 68.3% of his passes and is only 28 years old. Now he’s in Carolina backing up Jake Delhomme, who struggled last year and will have a short leash to start 07. Carr has more mobility than Delhomme and arguably as good an arm. The one thing he never had was Delhomme’s surrounding talent.

Gus Frerotte, St. Louis Rams-- It seems that Frerotte always finds his way behind center. Marc Bulger played all sixteen games last year for the first time in his career and was limited to eight games in 2005. Frerotte made the most with his surrounding talent in Miami. If you have a disposable roster spot, Bulger owners might want to consider drafting Frerotte as an insurance policy. At the very least, he is worth a waiver pick as a viable fantasy option should Bulger go down.

Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns-- After missing nearly two weeks of training camp, it appears Quinn has no shot at starting the season as the Browns quarterback. Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson will compete for the starting job. Last season, the two combined to throw just 15 TDs and 25 INTs. Quinn has learned under Charlie Weis and has the mobility and arm strength to make an immediate impact. The Browns are preaching patience, but so were the Titans and Cardinals last season. Chances are he starts before mid-season.

Damon Huard, Kansas City Chiefs-- He will probably be the week one starter for the Chiefs, but that doesn’t mean he will get drafted in your league. The fact that there is a quarterback debate between Huard and rookie Brody Croyle is mind-boggling. In ten games last season, Huard threw 11 TDs and just 1 INT. Assuming Larry Johnson returns, he also makes every passing game a little bit better. With a weak offensive line, veteran leadership is a must.

Kellen Clemens, New York Jets-- The Jets should just call this guy Pennington number two. His game is eerily similar, as he possesses the same frame and has shown acute accuracy. Clemens seems to also possess a stronger arm of the two. Pennington did play sixteen games last season, but only played in twenty-three during the three prior seasons. Clemens was explosive at Oregon where he threw 41 TDs over his last two seasons. The Jets have veteran wide receivers, which will help with his transition should the opportunity present itself.

The name has changed to protect the innocent. The Fantasy Trader will give you the inside access into league developments to help keep you ahead of your fantasy competition.

Email him at: fantasytrader@nfldraftbible.com