Go Grab Garrard
It's Friday, I'm making sure the draft guide is up to date, so let's keep this short with some fantasy thoughts and non-fantasy football thoughts on the announcement of Byron Leftwich's dismissal in Jacksonville.
Fantasy Implications
1. We re-did the projections and David Garrard is now our QB15, atop of of a big tier with Matt Leinart and Brett Favre, but behind guys like Eli Manning and Jay Cutler. That seemed high to me at first because I'm not a huge fan of Garrard's passing skills. Then I looked at his fantasy stats when he's started.
2005 (6 starts): QB5
2006: (10 starts): QB14
The 2005 stats are skewed slightly by three rushing scores, but that's the element Garrard brings to the table. Last year he rushed for 250 yards. That's a huge advantage when you are talking about a backup fantasy quarterback.
2. Look at your QB2, see if he's replaceable or tradeable, and go pick up Garrard if he helps your team.
3. Leftwich owners can bail in most redraft leagues, although I'd like to see where he lands first. He could be the starter in Atlanta before long, but that's just wild speculation.
Other Thoughts
1. The Jaguars totally mismanaged the situation with their indecision. If Matt Schaub was worth two second-round picks in April, Leftwich would have brought in a solid deal from a place like Oakland, Cleveland, or Miami before the draft. And Jacksonville may have taken Brady Quinn in the draft.
2. I've heard rumors the Jacksonville players were very upset after hearing the news. Leftwich was very popular in the locker room and the timing is terrible. You just hope that ownership didn't have much to do with the decision. Finances and appeasing the fanbase are some benefits from going with Garrard.
3. Rotoworld has stubbornly overvalued Leftwich the last two years, and I take responsibility for that. I still think he will be a quality quarterback in the league at his second stop. We'll see.
4. So much for short. Stay on top of the rapidly breaking news all weekend as cuts fly in.
Comments
I'm not feeling the QB14 ranking from last year. Using MFL's Weekly Average ranking, which seems to eliminate most non-starts, and removing a random week five zero, he's only around 25th, behind Pennington, Losman, and yes Leftwich.
Same with 05 for that matter, where he's ~16 a game (again behind Leftwich), good for about 20th. Why the high ranks?
Posted by: jimmo | September 1, 2007 12:49 AM
ok, removing a 1.2 point non-start from '05 works out pretty well, but I still don't see the high '06 ranking.
Posted by: jimmo | September 1, 2007 12:53 AM
i haven't even perused his point totals from last year, but i know i watched him play several times when he was just terrible.
he'll score some points, largely because of the rushing yds, but he's as inconsistent as just about any QB in the league, except maybe Rex.
i have him as a carson palmer bye week fill-in in one league. hopefully palmer stays healthy so he doesn't have to become more than that, 'cause i'm with your jimmo. i wouldn't say i have no confidence in the guy. more like... 55% confidence.
Posted by: The Dox | September 1, 2007 09:44 AM